Kohima, March 30 (MExN): The Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) has stated that the ‘unnecessary interference’ of some associations in the ongoing indefinite bandh imposed by the Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) in its jurisdiction along NH 2 would only escalate the issue.
“The SAYO is of the view that, the current situation will only further escalate with the involvement and statement of some Unions and Associations who are randomly threatening to counter the stance of the bandh without understanding the issue or without any objectives to settle the existing issue,” it stated in a press release on Wednesday.
The release stated that the bandh was called against the Manipur Government’s deployment of armed personnel and construction of concrete structures in the Kezoltsa area which “violates the arbitration undertaking signed by the rightful owners of the land i.e, the TPO, Board of Arbitrators, Mao Council, Maram and SAPO and wherein, it was firmly resolved that no activity shall be allowed in the disputed area pending resolution.”
It went on to state that the disputed area was never acquired by the governments of Nagaland or Manipur and the rights of the non-cadastral land rest with the people and the community according to the customary tradition. As the matter is pending in the court of TPO, the SAYO contended that “the question of dispute/negotiation over political boundary between the two state governments or intervention from the Government does not arise.”
“Instead of making unfounded claims over Kezoltsa area as State territorial jurisdiction and political boundary, the Manipur Government should take into confidence the concern of its people by paying heed to the clarion call of TPO to withdraw its armed personnel and in dismantling the concrete structures, which were illegally constructed,” it maintained.
It also appealed to all the right thinking individuals and Unions not to fall prey to the propaganda designed by certain sections of people and community “whose sole intention is to escalate and prolong the issue.”
Meanwhile, the SAYO also questioned the stand of the Government of Assam and sought to know whether they endorsed the counter blockade called by certain Manipur associations in some pockets of the state.
The SAYO appreciated various unions who it said, had understood the stand of Southern Angamis and“the tireless effort to enable an amicable solution to the pending issue through the court of customary traditions.”
