A longstanding land boundary dispute between three villages -- Old Tamenglong, Dailong and Duigailong -- escalated after residents clashed, wherein at least 25 individuals, including 12 security personnel were injured.
The conflict stems from competing claims by the three villages over the ownership of land along the boundary. While Dailong asserts rights over areas where Old Tamenglong residents have settled, the latter claims first settler rights. Meanwhile, Duigailong backs the claims of Dailong villagers.
On 30 April 2025, Old Tamenglong residents issued a notice around 10 am to close the Tamenglong market, prompting public meetings and counter-rallies. By mid-day, approximately 2,000 Old Tamenglong residents marched to the district headquarters to submit a memorandum. This comes two weeks after a court directed the formation of a commission to address the boundary dispute between the villagers of Old Tamenglong and Dailong, which has been under litigation since 2005.
During the march, Dailong villagers allegedly initiated stone-pelting, backed by Duigailong residents, leading to violent clashes. The confrontation involved brawls and the arson of a Public Works Department (PWD) inspection bungalow near Rani Bazar. Security forces, including police and central forces, intervened using tear gas, mock bombs, and rubber bullets to restore order.
In response, District Magistrate Dr L Angshim Dangshawa imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, banning assemblies of five or more persons and the carrying of arms in Tamenglong headquarters and bordering areas of Dailong, Duigailong, and Old Tamenglong. These measures led to the closure of shops and businesses, with residents largely staying indoors. The administration also offered travel aid to assist stranded individuals, particularly students, amid travel disruptions caused by the unrest.
Civil society organisations, including Rongmei groups, called for peaceful dialogue to resolve the dispute, emphasising the need for community-driven solutions.
The incident reflects similar land disputes in Manipur, such as the October 2024 clash in the Ukhrul district between Hunphun and Hungpung villages, which resulted in three deaths. These recurring conflicts pose challenges to land governance in Manipur’s tribal areas, where customary practices often conflict with state mechanisms, complicating resolution efforts.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand for legal recognition of land rights
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Resolution of the land boundary dispute in favor of the respective villages.
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Common
Forest
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
No arrests reported.
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Agricultural land
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
Type of investment:
Year of Estimation
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
Yes
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Lack of legal protection over land rights
Land record discrepancies
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Pending
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Civil Court (Senior Division), Tamenglong
Case Number
Original Suit No.18 of 2005/7 of 2015, Judicial Misc. Case No. 12 of 2025.
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Physical attack
Torching of houses
Lathicharge/teargas/pellets
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023
Reported Details of the Violation:
The violence escalated when residents of Dailong village allegedly hurled stones at a procession of about 2,000 Old Tamenglong residents marching to submit a memorandum, leading to a clash. People from Duigailong joined in support of Dailong, and during the violence, the PWD inspection bungalow was torched, resulting in injuries to 25 people. (1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/manipur/land-dispute-clash-prohibitory-order-imposed-in-manipurs-tamenglong-after-clash-leaves-25-injured/article69512821.ece 2. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/manipur-22-including-12-security-personnel-injured-in-land-dispute-clash-101746032171742.html)
Date of Violation
April 29, 2025
Location of Violation
Tamenglong district headquarters and the bordering areas of Dailong, Duigailong, and Old Tamenglong villages
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Tamenglong District administration, Manipur Police.
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Villagers of Dailong, Duigailong, and Old Tamenglong; civil society leaders involved in de-escalation efforts.
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
No arrests reported.
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
