‘Customary law is best for dispute settlement’
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 1
A VISIBLY inspired Chief Minister today took the proud name of Kidima as a sounding board in sending a clarion call for nurturing peace and unity among the Nagas. Mention may be made that the two-decade old confrontation over differences arising out of the usage of— Kedima and Kidima— by the villagers was resolved on September 6, 2005 with the villagers unanimously deciding to use their village name as Kidima for all purposes.
The village had earlier been approaching various authorities such as Japfuphikhi Angami Public Organization (JAPO), Deputy Commissioner’s Court, Kohima, Gauhati High Court, Kohima bench and Angami Public Organization (APO) to resolve the issue.
Moreover, with division arising out of the contentious issue, the village was unable to form any Village Council or Village Developmental Board (VDB) and was unable to avail any governmental assistance for the development of the village.
Finally, the matter was handed over to the Tenyimi Central Union (TCU) in February 2005 and as a result TCU managed to sort the differences after seven months of deliberation with the village elders.
Enthused by the story of Kidima Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio kept his promise to visit the village and share the State government’s appreciation on the peaceful resolution over the nomenclature of Kidima, which had lingered without a solution for the last 21 years.
Speaking as the Chief Guest in celebrating the formal declaration and acceptance of the name ‘Kidima’, Rio said that unity and peace showed by the Kidima people should be an example for the entire Nagas to work towards this end.
Taking a leaf out of the successful Kidima experience, the Chief Minister held the ground that Naga customary law was the best law for any dispute settlement and expressed concern over the judiciary court system known for its delayed procedures which amounts to wastage of time and expensive litigation. Citing the example of the Tuophema and Rengma conflict which was settled by Late Guolhoulie Rio, father of Chief Minister himself, Rio said that the conflict was settled by the Chairman of the village council through customary law and prayer groups.
The Chief Minister donated Rs 50 Lakhs for village road construction under CM Corpus Fund, Rs 10 Lakh for Village Panchayat Construction. A water project from Khuzama to Kidima was also announced. Rio also gave assurance for constructing a village playground and an Agri-Link Road. He also donated Rs 1 Lakh towards the ‘KENEI HE’ celebration.
Today’s programme was held under the theme ‘TIEMA-KHE’ (In Unison we Shalt). Speaker, Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Kiyanilie Peseyie also spoke on the occasion. Director for Land Resources, N Putsure spoke on behalf of the Angami Gazetted Officers Association and wished the village people to have honour and glory through the unity of the village.
President, Tenyimia Central Union, Z M Sekhose in his speech said that tolerance and forgiveness is the best medicine. Sekhose asked the people to forget the past and take the present and work for the future. Former TCU President and present member of the jury board, W Krome and several other public leaders also exhorted the villagers.
Parliamentary Secretaries, MLA Jongshilemba and MLA R Khing, MLA Medokul, Kohima Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, former Minister G Kenye, R Paphino, Additional Chief Engineer, Road and Bridges, Hito and Secretary to Chief Minister Viketol Sakhrie also attended the programme. A large number of well wishers from neighbouring villages also joined in the celebration.
Chairman, Chesezumi Village Council presented a shawl as a token of blood relation to the Kidima Village. The grandmother of Kidima is reportedly from Chesezumi village. Well wishers from various villages and individuals donated cash amounts to the village as goodwill offerings. Former Nagaland Wrestling Association President, Satuo Kuotsu also donated Rs 5,000/- for the wrestling exhibition participants.
Welcome folk song, Tati speech was presented by Ngonosa and party and Village Council Chairman, Vimetsu. The Chief Minister and the Speaker, NLA with the youth society joined in threshing rice for making rice beer. Unveiling of the memorial stone, special folk song by pagans and Naga Style wrestling exhibition were the other highlights of the programme. Earlier, invocation prayer was pronounced by Pastors Keholeshü and Mase while vote of thanks was delivered by Visütha.
