Proceedings, Findings and Declaration of the Working Committee, United Naga Council (WCUNC) in the matter of physical assault and attack upon villagers of Konsakhul (Konsaram), which included the village Chief, Chairman, Secretary and Pastor among others, by Leilon Vaiphei villagers on April 5, 2025, and the related issue of land dispute between Konsakhul (Konsaram) Village and Leilon Vaiphei Village.
BACKGROUND & TIME LINE OF ENGAGEMENTS
Communal tension arose from the physical assault and attack on members of Konsakhul (Konsaram) Village, including the Village Chief, Chairman, Secretary, Pastor and others by the Leilon Vaiphei on April 5, 2025 in connection with the land dispute over Tasenjai/Gulpi Tuitin areas between the said villages. This development necessitated the intervention of United Naga Council (UNC) for restoration of peace between the two communities.
1. On June 2, 2025, the Committee for Protection on Indigenous Peoples’ Ancestral Land (COPIPAL), launched an indefinite bandh restricting the movement of Kukis in Naga areas particularly in the foothill regions of Naga areas in protest against the unprovoked attack. Taking into consideration the severity of the situation and the possible escalation, the Joint Tribe Council (JTC) and UNC were compelled to intervene in the situation. Following the intervention of the JTC and directives from the UNC, the bandh was called off the same evening.
2. On June 2, 2025, a joint meeting of the UNC-WC and Sadar Hills Chief Association (SAHILCA) was convened at the UNC Office, Tahamzam for maintaining peace and cordial relationship between the two communities. SAHILCA, accepting full moral responsibility for the incident, tendered a formal apology on behalf of Leilon Vaiphei village and expressed willingness to fulfill the tribal customary rituals and to indemnify the victims for medical expenses a lumpsum amount of ₹ 1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakhs) only within one week’s time and agreed for amicable settlement of the land dispute between Konsakhul village and Leilon Vaiphei Village as per tribal customary law conducted under the WC-UNC.
3. On June 11, 2025, a customary ritual confirmation was carried out between Konsakhul and Leilon Vaiphei villages in the presence of their respective parent bodies viz Liangmai Naga Council (LNC), Joint tribe Council, All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Women’s Union (NWU) and Sadar Hills Chief Association (SAHILCA) before the WC-UNC at Khunkhu Naga Village. Upon fulfillment of the agreement and tribal customary rituals by Leilon Village, both the parties agreed to pursue a peaceful and amicable settlement as per the tribal customary laws and to extend full cooperation to the WC -UNC.
4. On June 26, 2025, the WC-UNC conducted a spot enquiry at Tasenzai/Gulpi Tuitin with Konsakhul villagers and their parent bodies Liangmai Naga Council (LNC) and JTC. Relevant documents and statements were collected/recorded.
5. On June 27, 2025, the Committee conducted a similar spot visit with Leilon Vaiphei and their parent body, SAHILCA for collection of documents and recording of statements.
6. In June 2025, a meeting was held with SAHILCA on the way forward for amicable settlement.
7. On September 29, 2025, the WC-UNC met with JTC and LNC on the way forward towards an amicable settlement.
8. On October 1, 2025, a joint meeting was held by the WC-UNC at UNC Office, Tahamzam with the Konsakhul and Leilon Vaiphei and their respective parent bodies viz Liangmai Naga Council (LNC), Joint tribe Council, All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Women’s Union (NWU) and Sadar Hills Chief Association (SAHILCA), Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi (KIK) and Kuki Students’ Organization Sadar Hills (KSO-SH). Both parties agreed in principle to the proposed Draft Agreement based on the submission of evidences, documents and statements made by the parties. The meeting was adjourned to October 6, 2025 at the request of SAHILCA and Leilon Village for consultation amongst themselves before inking the agreement.
9. On October 6, 2025, a meeting was convened as agreed upon in the 1st October, 2025 meeting. Leilon Vaiphei village, a primary stakeholder in the case failed to attend. SAHILCA requested for more time and proposed a further consultation among the parent bodies and to later call in the two primary stakeholders for signing the agreement.
10. Despite the considerate moratorium and repeated rescheduling meetings at the request of SAHILCA, Leilon Vaiphei regrettably failed to attend the meetings rescheduled to 6th October, 14th October, 31st October, November 17, 21, 24 and 29, 2025. This amounts to utter disrespect of the conciliatory process willfully entered into by Leilon Vaiphei and also gross defilement of the customary rituals already performed by the said village, rendering the entire process futile and untenable for settlement of the instant case which otherwise was desired by all concerns for restoration of peaceful co-existence.
PROCEEDINGS AND OBSERVATIONS
The WC-UNC after hearing the oral statements and examination of the documents/evidences submitted by the Konsakhul (Konsaram) Village and Leilon Vaiphei village; and conduct of field/spot verification visits to the land under dispute, the following proceedings and observations have been drawn up for record –
I. Whereas, SAHILCA has acknowledged full moral responsibility for the attack of April 5, 2025 and has issued a formal apology on behalf of the Leilon Vaiphei villagers. Thereafter, Leilon Vaiphei village has paid an amount ₹ 1,00,000/- for medical treatment to the victims (Konsakhul Village) along with fulfillment of customary rituals on June 11, 2025 at Khunkhu Naga village.
II. Whereas, both Konsakhul (Konsaram) and Leilon Vaiphei villages have submitted documentary evidences and oral statements in support of their respective claims of ownership over the land under dispute (Tasenjai/Gulbi Tuitin areas). Upon examination of the documents furnished by both parties, the Committee observed that the Hill House Tax Receipts produced by both Leilon Vaiphei and Konsakhul villages are in the name of the Naga village (Received from the under mentioned Naga village), dating back to 1922 under the British rule and subsequently after India’s Independence.
III. Whereas, the documents submitted by both Konsakhul and Leilon Vaiphei pertains primarily to boundary disputes between Konsakhul Village and its neighbouring villages – Koutruk, Senjam Chirang, Khurkhul and Karakhun village. It has also been established that the land in question, Tasenjai area is presently being utilized by both the parties having their respective farmland/fields or owned lands.
IMPORTANT EXCERPTS/FINDINGS FROM DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED BY BOTH THE PARTIES:
I. PMSD Hill Misc. Case No. 388 (1920):
Order dated 6 December 1920 by C. Gimson, I.C.S., PMSD, Quote- “the land in dispute belonged to Konsakhul Naga Basti, Koutruk village could claim only the actual Laipham,” affirming Konsakhul’s land ownership.
II. Hill House Tax Records:
Observed that the Hill House Tax Receipts produced by both Leilon Vaiphei and Konsakhul villages are in the name of the Naga village confirming that the Vaiphei residents of Leilon Vaiphei village paid taxes in the name of the Naga village. Quote- “Received from the under mentioned Naga village,”), dating back to 1922 under the British rule and subsequently after India’s Independence.
The Hill House Tax records conclusively establish that Vaiphei residents of Leilon paid taxes in the name of the Naga village up to 2008. Although payments were shown retrospectively for the period 1981–84, the actual remittance was made only on 31/02/2015. The records expressly state, “Received from the under mentioned Naga village,” thereby clearly indicating Konsakhul’s lawful ownership and jurisdiction over the land in question.
III. Chakravarty Report (1 January 1922):
The Land Revenue Officer documented that the area in question belongs to the Nagas. Quote- “Mayai-Kanglam (name of the hill path) should be the boundary between Konsakhul Naga Basti and Koutruk village and northern half belonged to Konsakhul Naga basti.”
IV. Manipur State Darbar Case (1927-1928):
A landmark verdict demarcating the traditional boundary between Konsakhul and Senjam Chirang, establishes the fact that Konsakhul Village is the original settler. Quote-” the plaintiff is allowed to cut only Thatching Grass.”
V. Hill Minister Misc. Case No. 94 (1947–48):
Verdict signed by R. Khathing on July 2, 1948, confirms Konsakhul’s position vis-à-vis Koutruk village. Quote – “Conclusively establishes the territorial boundary of Konsakhul Naga and Koutruk village”.
VI. SDC Sadar & Thoubal Hills Cril Case No. 121/5 (1952):
Order dated November 8, 1950, upholding Konsakhul’s land rights. Quote- “I have also gone through the certified copies of all the misc case no. 388 of 1920-21, court of PMSD (Hills), misc case 94 of 1947-48 and Cril case No.316 of 1950 Court of SDO/s, in all of which the claim of Koutruk village to hill beyond the Laipham in the triangular grove was rejected.”
VII. In the court of the Chief Commissioner, CC Hills Criminal Appeal No. 5 (1953):
Order by R.P. Bhargava, Chief Commissioner of Manipur, confirming Konsakhul’s legal rights. Quote – “it is clear from the above that it belonged to the Nagas of Konsakhul. The people of Koutruk village could claim only the actual Laipham. It is therefore clearly established that people of Koutruk have absolutely no claim on the northern half and so far the order of the DC is quite correct.”
VIII. Land Lease Agreement (1920):
Found one Land lease Agreement executed between Phengamang, Chief of Konsakhul, and Shonglal Khaute of the Vaiphei community, establishing tenancy based settlement rights within Konsakhul territory.
IX. Other legal documents
Several accounts of legal documents confiding the traditional land ownership of Khonsakhul Naga village were found in the documents submitted by both the parties, such as PMSD Court (Hill) Misc. Case No. 66 (1937–38), PMSD Court (Hill) Civil Case No. 68 (1938–39), PMSD (Hill) Civil Case No. 28 (1942–43), Hill Appeal Case No. 103 (1952), SDC Sadar & Thoubal Hills Cril Case No. 121/5 (1952), SDC Imphal West Case No. 484 (1953), CC Hills Criminal Appeal No. 5 (1953), Forest Settlement Officer’s Ruling (1971), Government Map and Land Schedule (1971) etc.
SUMMATION
The documents submitted by both the Konsakhul and Leilon Vaiphei villages pertain primarily to boundary disputes between Konsakhul Village and its neighbouring villages. It has therefore become evident that Konsakhul is the traditional land owner of the present Konsakhul village bordering the 5 neighboring villages viz Koutruk, Senjam Chirang, Khurkhul, and Karakhun.
As such, WC, UNC finds that the traditional ownership of the disputed land (Tasenzai/Gulbi Tuitin) areas which is being utilized jointly at present by both the parties rests with the Konsakhul Village.
DECLARATION
In view of the gravity and sensitivity of the matter demanding urgent intervention for maintaining peace and communal harmony, the WC, UNC hereby issues the following
declaration based on the terms already agreed upon in principle by both the parties and their respective parent bodies on October 1, 2025 at UNC Office, Tahamzam:
I. Both parties shall maintain peace and coexist harmoniously, strictly adhering to the status quo.
II. No party shall obstruct, interfere with, or disrupt any activities in their respective paddy fields and farmlands at Tasenzai/Gulpi Tuitin areas.
III. That, Leilon Vaiphei shall not obstruct or disrupt the construction work of the school/college presently underway at K. Lungwiram.
IV. The Konsakhul (Konsaram) IVR Road shall remain open to ensure free, safe and unhindered passage for all residents.
V. The erected Cross found in the Tasenjai/Gulbi Tuitin areas should be removed forthwith. Further, No party shall encroach or resort to any provocative action that will be detrimental to the peaceful co-existence of the two communities.
VI. In the event of any untoward incident arising from non-adherence to the above by any party, that party shall be held fully responsible for the consequences.
The proceedings, findings and declaration was signed by the Working Committee of UNC – Samson Remei (Convenor), AC. Thotso (Member Secretary) KS. Paul Leo (Member) and L. Adani (Member).
