Masangam
Jalukie | October 25
After a prolonged hiatus of two years or so since the declaration of Peren District Headquarter, the Zeliangrong Baudi with the Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary TN Manen and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament TR Zeliang drove the last nail in the coffin during their visit to the proposed site (New Peren) yesterday.
The team headed by Manen and Zeliang along with heads of departments and technical experts conducted a final bird-eye-view survey for construction of various infrastructural works at the District headquarter site.
According to official sources, it was brought to knowledge that among other works, top priority would be given for widening and leveling of road connectivity to the headquarter, beginning with immediate 25 KMs road construction inter-linked with existing Agri-link road which would connect New Peren with Peren Town, Chalkot, and Jalukie via Kezanglwa.
A sports complex is proposed at Teibamkam (flat landscape) adjoining the extensive spreading valley of Jalukie in keeping with the opinion and choices of the people as wel as a complex for DC Office headquarters is in the offing.
All-out effort to begin work would be started after which the laying of foundation would take place during the year-end or latest by the first part of next year.
The team also visited Old Chalkot and Saijang through the Agri-link road to study the feasibility of road connectivity to the Athibung Circle.
Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha MP also had closed door meeting with the Zeliangrong Baudi executives to deliberate on the much-debated boundary issue of the district and stressed on the practice of customary laws in dealing with traditional boundaries apart from evidential documents.
It was reportedly unearthed that ‘politically motivated elements’ were behind the recognition given to adjoining illegal villages along the present (supposed) boundary and had placed them under the administrative jurisdiction of Dhansiripar (which was under the bench court of Peren District prior to statehood) without the knowledge and consent of the land owners.
“If the Government looks only for ‘documents’ without ascertaining its authenticity they are over-riding and violating the Naga customary practices, since every Naga tribe has their respective distinct traditional boundaries” said one of the attendees.
The meeting also declared that since the report of R Ezung, the then Commissioner was based on administrative convenience it was unacceptable to the people of Peren District, hence the ZLR Baudi stood for reconstitution of a new commission for proper demarcation of District boundary for Peren and Dimapur, based on traditional boundaries. “In the name of administrative convenience the traditional land ownership cannot be altered by a single order, and it has become a chronic disease for the people of the district” said one of the members.
The visiting team included TR Zeliang MP Rajya Shabha, TN Manen, IAS Addl. Chief Secretary and Commissioner, Tarie MLA 6 A/C Tening, Mikha Lomi DC Peren, Dennis Elung President ZLR (Baudi).
