Chümoukedima, February 13, 2026: Following the outbreak of violence in Maova Village on February 13, the Village Council issued an official statement detailing the incident and the extent of the destruction. According to the statement, nearly one thousand youths allegedly stormed Maova Village in Nagaland, leaving widespread damage and prompting the Council to file FIRs against those responsible.
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| Smoke rises from charred buildings and debris in Maova Village following the February 13 violence that left homes and properties destroyed. (Image: Special arrangement) |
The Maova Village Council described the incident as a coordinated and organized assault that escalated from a private land dispute into large-scale violence. As per the statement, the mob entered the village at around 10 am and vandalized homes, shops, vehicles and important community properties. The Council alleged that the youths were mobilized under the banner of the Chakhrroma Youth Organization and claimed that the attack was neither spontaneous nor isolated.
The statement said the root of the issue was a private land dispute involving certain individuals from Maova, Mr. Sobu Rio and the Chathe Prayer Centre. The Council maintained that the matter should have been resolved through customary and administrative mechanisms instead of turning into collective violence. It emphasized that many of those who suffered losses had no connection to the dispute.
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According to the Council’s account, several vehicles were damaged or burned, including a dumper truck and multiple cars and two-wheelers. Seventeen roadside shops were set on fire, three private homes were damaged and key community structures such as the Community Hall, Council office, Council guest house and Council youth office were also burned. The Council further reported the destruction of mobile phones and other village assets.
The Village Council stated that FIRs have been lodged and demanded an impartial and time-bound investigation into the incident. It called for the identification and prosecution of those who organized and carried out the attack, adequate compensation for affected families and measures to ensure the safety of villagers. The statement concluded by urging that justice be pursued through lawful means and that peace be restored in the area.
