Morung Express News
Kohima | February 27
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister-in-Charge of Home and Border Affairs, Y Patton today assured of the State Government's fullest support for the protection of the traditional land at Kezoltsa, and for the amicable resolution of the disputed area by the tribal bodies.
In response to the issued raised by MLA Kevipodi Sophie during matters of urgent public importance, Patton said the State Government has also been taking up with the Manipur Government to take steps for ceasing all developmental activities and withdraw the Manipur security forces stationed at the disputed site in the interest of peace, and to give the Tenyini People’s Organisation (TPO) the chance to resolve the issue.
“We have been suggesting that since the dispute is amongst Naga villages, the best approach would be for the villages to decide as per the initiative undertaken by the TPO, and that it was not advisable on the part of anyone else to interfere in an internal matter pertaining to Naga traditional land holding rights” stated Patton.
While appreciating Sophie for giving a detailed account of the various aspects of the dispute, the Deputy Chief Minister acknowledged the complex nature of the dispute, with competing claims the Southern Angami Villages of Nagaland under the banner of Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO), and the neighbouring Mao Villages of Manipur under the banner of Mao Union over the issue of ancestral landownership for many years now.
The matter, he noted is further complicated by the political boundary of Nagaland-Manipur which cuts across from a stream between Mao and Khuzama villages through the Southern part of Dzukou Valley and joins Tepuiki (Barak River) and down to Halflong (Assam) on the West.
Stating matter-of-factly, Patton suggested on the importance of addressing the claims based on traditional boundaries rather than political influence asserting that as far as land ownership status between the various neighbouring Naga villages are concerned, it is the traditional boundary, which existed for several generations, and stands above political boundaries which have been laid down without any consideration of traditional land boundaries.
Hence, he viewed that it is understandable and correct also, if the matter of claims/counter-claims over the area of Kezoltsa/Dzükou is looked into for resolution by means of Customary practices and evidences without letting political boundaries influence the same.
He also expressed over the violation of the 2017 Arbitration Undertaking signed between the SAPO, Chief of Maram Khullen Village regret and Mao Council under the aegis of Tenyimi Peoples' Organization which involved the Manipur State Government and deployment of Manipur Armed Police personnel at the disputed site.
He appreciated TPO’s effort in engaging with the Manipur government to withdraw security personnel from the disputed site, however, he noted that TPO’s and other organisations’ efforts has been complicated owing to the imposition of the 144 CrPc by District Administration, Senapati, and the stationing of Manipur Police Personnel at the disputed site/area, which has hindered proper assessment of the disputed area to facilitate the resolution by the TPO and APO.
To this end, Patton urged all Naga civil society organizations concerned and those from Manipur along with TPO to take further steps and measures and hold discussions to amicably resolve the matter.
With the ‘disputed’ area rich in biodiversity, endowed with great beauty which remains unspoilt and unexploited, Patton impressed on the need to preserve and nurture the great treasure received from our forefathers as our traditional lands.
Reiterating the efforts being made by the government and the recent developments, he appealed all to extend full cooperation and strive for a harmonious settlement.
