MOKOKCHUNG, SEPTEMBER 21 (MExN): The Merangkong Medemsanger Putu/Merangkong Village Council (MVC) in response to the incidence of violence which occurred at Tuli on September 19 maintained that it was a case of a village member failing to comply with an MVC directive.
The MVC in a press release stated that one of its villagers, who was identified as Koralemzung has been “Defying all customary laws and practices in vogue within the jurisdiction of Merangkong Village… for a protracted period of time.”
On this account, the MVC said that the individual was summoned to the village court on September 11 with a view to counsel him. However, it alleged that the summoned individual defied the village directive and also threatened the MVC.
As per the MVC allegation, the individual while failing to comply with the former’s directive and threatening the village authority further resorted to piling firearms and explosives at his residence in Tuli vitiating the peaceful atmosphere.
“Eventually, on 18th September 2017, he was apprehended by 44 Assam Rifles after a cache of arms, ammunition and explosives were recovered from his possession at his residence while conducting routine checking. He was subsequently handed over to the Police for further action.”
Subsequently, apprehending trouble that could result in loss of lives, the MVC said the individual was summoned once more to the village court, which was also not complied with.
“Therefore, in consonance with the customary law being practised in Merangkong, the Merangkong Putu members went to his residence on 19th September 2017 to follow up with the case,” the MVC maintained.
On that day, the MVC alleged that its members were “attacked” with explosives and stones by the alleged Koralemzung and “his private army” as the village council members were approaching his residence only to flee “brandishing their weapons” when the police and civil administration arrived at the scene.
Following the incident, the MVC said that it sealed the house “in exercise of powers vested in it under customary law” the same day on September 19.
It further declared, “Any person or group of persons opens or attempts to open the house thus sealed by the Merangkong Medemsanger Putu without its permission will be doing so at his, her or their own risk and will be appropriately punished in accordance with the customary law.”
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