A violent confrontation broke out at Maova village under Medziphema Sub-Division on Friday morning following a land dispute, leaving administrative officials injured and several properties damaged, even as two organizations issued sharply conflicting accounts of the incident.
According to initial reports, the clash occurred at around 10 am when tensions escalated during an attempted dialogue related to an ongoing land dispute. Authorities reportedly intervened to bring the situation under control, while FIRs have been lodged and calls for an impartial investigation have been made.
In a situational report submitted to the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Medziphema, the Chakhroma Public Organisation stated that the confrontation followed years of complaints from landowners alleging restrictions on property development by the Maova Village Council. The organisation claimed that the administration had earlier advised the council not to restrict property owners, and that it had issued a notice in December 2025 seeking removal of alleged illegal structures.
The organization further stated that its leaders, accompanied by youth volunteers, visited the village on Friday morning for dialogue with council authorities. It alleged that the delegation was met with stone pelting and aggression upon arrival, triggering a scuffle in which an Extra Assistant Commissioner and a police personnel were injured. It also claimed that several of its volunteers sustained injuries and that the situation escalated after reinforcements were called in.
The report added that a shop caught fire during the unrest, resulting in LPG cylinder explosions, though it said the cause of the blaze could not be confirmed. Many of the claims could not be independently verified.
Meanwhile, the Maova Village Council issued a separate press statement accusing outside youths of carrying out a “coordinated and organised” attack on the village. The council alleged that nearly a thousand individuals mobilised under a youth banner vandalised and burned homes, shops, and vehicles following a private land dispute involving local individuals and a prayer centre. It claimed that properties belonging to ordinary villagers were damaged and listed extensive destruction, including burned vehicles, damaged private homes, roadside shops, and council infrastructure.
The council further stated that FIRs had been lodged against those responsible and called for a time-bound investigation, prosecution of organisers, full compensation for damages, and continued security deployment to prevent further escalation.
Both sides have levelled serious allegations against each other, and many claims remain unverified. Authorities are yet to release a detailed official account of the incident, though security measures were reportedly intensified in the area following the clash.
The dispute is understood to stem from a longstanding land issue involving individual property claims and alleged encroachments. Observers noted that while land disagreements are common in Nagaland and typically resolved through customary and administrative mechanisms, Friday’s violence marks a serious escalation.
As investigations begin, residents and civil society groups have urged restraint and called for the matter to be resolved through lawful and peaceful means.
Yanthungo Patton, Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, expressed his concern over incidents of violence and arson in Maova village, located on the outskirts of Dimapur.
Patton wrote in a post on X, “Any act that disrupts peace and endangers lives and property is a matter of serious concern.” He also appealed for peace and requested people to maintain calm and restraint. He wrote, “I urge all those involved to remain calm, exercise restraint, and allow lawful and constructive processes to address any grievances.”
Authorities have confirmed that the situation is under control, with a security presence maintained in and around Maova village to monitor developments and ensure peace.