PRESS STATEMENT
Regarding the Incident at Maova Village
Today, Maova Village witnessed a calculated and unjustifiable act of collective violence. What began as a private land dispute between involving individuals from Maova and Mr. Sobu Rio and the Chathe Prayer Centre was deliberately escalated into a large scale attack against an entire village. Innocent villagers who had no connection to the dispute were made to suffer.
While the authorities have brought the situation under control, the damage inflicted upon Maova Village is severe and unacceptable.
On 13 February 2026 at around 10 AM, nearly one thousand youths mobilized under the banner of the Chakroma Youth Organization descended upon Maova Village. They vandalized and burned private properties, homes, shops, and vehicles. This was organized. This was coordinated. This was transported from outside. This was not a spontaneous reaction.
The issue was originally presented by the Chakro Public Organization in its letter alleging illegal encroachment on land belonging to Chathe Prayer Centre and Mr. Sobu Rio. The Maova Village Council had clearly responded that the land dispute was between individuals and that proper customary and administrative mechanisms were available. Despite this, the matter was inflamed instead of resolved.
Land disputes are common in Nagaland. They are settled through dialogue, village councils, customary law, and district administration. Never has such a dispute justified mobilizing thousands to attack a village. Turning a private disagreement into a communal confrontation is reckless and dangerous.
The following damages have been documented:
1 Dumper Truck burned
3 Boleros damaged
1 Wagon R damaged
4 Bikes damaged
1 Santro car burnt
1 council guest house burnt
5 Scooties damaged
17 roadside shops burned
3 private homes damaged
1 Community Hall burned
20 Mobile phones destroyed
1 Council office burnt
2 Gypsies damaged
1 JCB damaged
1 Maruti 800 damaged
1 Swift damaged
1 Council youth office burnt
50 chairs of the Village Council destroyed
These were not properties of the disputing individuals. These were the homes, livelihoods, and assets of ordinary villagers.
The attempt to drag the name of Chathe Prayer Centre into this issue and project moral authority while violence was mobilized on the ground raises serious questions. A place associated with prayer and faith should not become a pretext for confrontation or a shield for escalation. Sacred institutions must not be used, directly or indirectly, to inflame disputes.
The Chakro Public Organization, earlier known as Chakroma Union, was founded with the involvement of Subedar Khupjalet Kuki as its first Chairman. That history reflects shared roots and past cooperation between communities. It is therefore even more troubling that such an organization allowed itself to become the platform for mass mobilization that resulted in destruction.
Have they delivered justice by sending mobs into Maova? Have they upheld law by sanctioning numbers over process? Have they strengthened peace by destroying homes and shops? The answer is clear.
Maova Village Council has lodged FIRs against all responsible parties and demands an impartial and time bound investigation, identification and prosecution of those who organized and led the attack, full compensation for all damaged properties, and continued security presence to prevent further intimidation.
Private disputes must not be weaponized. Organizations must not act as parallel enforcement bodies. No group has the authority to descend upon another village and impose punishment.
Let justice prevail through law. Let accountability be real. Let peace be restored through truth and fairness.
Sd/-
SUTMINLAL VAIPHEI
Chairman
Maova Village Council
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