Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 29
The Nagaland Government has, more or less, ruled in favor of the Angami Public Organization (APO) with both Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Home Minister Imkong L. Imchen and other eminent Naga leaders opining that the APO, being the apex organization of landowners of the state capital, should take the lead in initiating efforts to check anti-social elements and to maintain peace and harmony within Kohima jurisdiction.
Both the chief minister and Home minister agreed that the APO has a major role to play, considering that the Angami have generously donated land and resources and that it is also responsible for ensuring peace within the land.
The statements referring to the APO takes significance, particularly in the wake of the recent “standoff” between the APO and the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) over the latter’s proposed agitation which the former opposed on the plea that it neither informed nor sought permission from the apex Angami organization of the proposed stir.
Indirectly, both the chief minister as well as the Home minister hinted that being under its jurisdiction, the APO should be consulted on such important matters.
The chief minister, while reminding that Kohima village and some other neighbouring villages have donated huge tracts of land to establish the state capital, has also made a fervent appeal to neighbouring villages to donate water to Kohima town – which he called the “mirror of Nagaland.” He appealed to those having resources to be broadminded and show generosity to fellow Nagas living in the state capital.
