Dimapur, August 21 (MExN): The Government of Nagaland today cautioned the Yimchunger and Sangtam community against making claims in the Media and said that the government will not recognize any decision or settlement of land disputes that don’t involve the government’s agencies. The government also nullified two press statements made by both parties making their claims.
A response from the government, appended by Chief Secretary Lalthara, took stern note of a “public notice” issued by a GBs union of Pungro and a ‘public forum’ and published on August 17. In these notices, the government said, the USLB, any village or individual claiming ownership of land within Pungro were “invited” to be present on August 24 to make the claim “along with government representatives to bear witness to the claims and objections.”
The government said a rejoinder was then issued by the USLB on August 18th claiming that the said land was “donated by the Sangtams to the state government in 1953 for establishing administrative headquarters and not to the Yimchungers to establish their village.” These two press releases by the groups have created tensions and misunderstanding between the two tribes,” the government reminded.
The governments stated: “The government hereby declares that it is not proper for the party to the dispute to summon the other party in the above manner for settlement of land disputes between different tribes/villages. The state government also declares the above two press statements as devoid of legal sanctity and that the government will not recognize any decision or settlement of land dispute in this manner which does not involve the government agencies or third party apex tribal bodies as it will rather aggravate the misunderstanding between the tribes.”
The Yimchunger and Sangtam communities and their organizations are asked to maintain peace and refrain from any activity or statements that may cause further tensions between them.
