Short Summary of the News

A tense land dispute erupted on the morning of June 15, 2025, between Meitei and Kuki communities near Sadu Lampak village, Imphal East, Manipur. A Meitei farmer attempted to till a paddy field—abandoned since the May 2023 ethnic clashes—using a tractor. Kuki villagers contested, asserting that the land belonged to them, sparking scuffles with stones, slingshots, and a catapult that injured a Meitei youth. The confrontation escalated as reinforcements from both communities joined in. Security forces, including the Imphal East Additional SP, BSF, Assam Rifles, and central paramilitary, responded promptly, using tear gas and mock bombs to restore calm. Three people sustained minor injuries, but there were no serious casualties. Police urged residents to stay calm and rely on formal records—like land ownership papers—to resolve disagreements

---

Introduction: Farmland as a Catalyst for Rising Tensions

Isn’t it surprising how a simple paddy field can reignite scars from a painful past? In Manipur, land isn’t just soil—it’s legacy. On June 15, 2025, a farmland dispute near Sadu Lampak, Imphal East, reignited fresh tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities, echoing past violence.

Why This Land?

Here’s the thing: land is more than property—it’s identity. The contested 12.4 acres near Sadu Lampak were left fallow due to instability after the 2023 conflict . Now, with relative calm, Meitei farmers saw it as their chance to reclaim territory. But the Kuki villagers from nearby Sopheng made a different claim. So whose land is it?

The Incident Unfolds: Tractor, Tensions, and Tears

• Around 10 AM, a Meitei farmer from Leitanpokpi moved in with a tractor to till the paddy field .
• Kuki villagers confronted him, asserting rightful ownership over the plot.
• Words turned into stones—angry exchanges ensued, involving slingshots, catapults, and melee—and a Meitei youth suffered a catapult injury to his eyebrow

Community Response: Mobilization and Escalation

Before long, both sides massed reinforcements:

• Meitei villagers from surrounding areas and
• Kuki villagers from hilltop settlements in Kangpokpi

Security Forces to the Rescue

The police, led by the Additional SP of Imphal East, deployed fast-response teams with the BSF, Assam Rifles, and other paramilitary units. They used tear gas and mock bombs to break up the crowd. Thankfully, no fatalities were reported—though minor injuries were sustained—largely due to a controlled and methodical deployment of force

Voices from the Ground: Perspectives from Both Sides

A Meitei farmer, Nandeibam Mobi of Leitanpokpi, defended his move by stating that cultivation had ceased for two years but resumed with permission from security officials . Meanwhile, Kuki villagers maintained that the field was not Meitei property—a sentiment reflected in the crowd’s steadfast resistance.

Conclusion: Walk the Tightrope Between Justice and Peace

What happened at Sadu Lampak isn’t just a land dispute—it’s a mirror reflecting the unresolved aftermath of Manipur’s 2023 tragedy. Reclaiming land may help one side heal, but risks re-opening wounds for another. The key is balance: justice through documentation and law, coupled with compassion and dialogue. It’s a tightrope walk, but if both sides tread carefully, peace can follow.

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Was anyone killed in the Sadu Lampak incident?
No, only minor injuries were reported. The conflict involved stones, slingshots, and catapults, but no fatalities

2. Who owns the farmland at the dispute’s center?
The question remains contested. The Meitei claim legal paddy land; the Kuki insist it’s theirs. Ownership hinges on formal land records and pattas.

3. Have similar tensions happened elsewhere in Manipur?
Yes. In the aftermath of the 2023 ethnic violence, multiple sites—especially in Imphal East and hill districts—saw similar land-related confrontations.

4. What role did security forces play?
Security forces—including the Imphal East Additional SP, BSF, Assam Rifles, and paramilitary units—used tear gas and mock bombs to defuse the situation and restore calm.

5. What can prevent future clashes like this?
Formal resolution strategies: thorough land surveys, verified documentation, mediated dialogue, and community trust-building measures.

---