Dimapur, May 9 (MExN): Their culture itself is an affirmation that by nature and heritage, Nagas are an accommodating people. A rich cultural tradition affirmed over the ages is a testimony to their obliging ways. Sharing in common not only means and produce of the land – with unrestrained generosity – this race also shares in the fulfillment of societal obligations to the welfare of their tribal brethren and pastoral neighbors.
The people of Phiro village and Tesophenyu group, Wokha district, reaffirm this once again – using the common wealth of the land as a leverage to further and reinforce communal harmony. Villagers of Phiro and Tesophenyu on April 30 in a joint declaration decided to share water source without any precondition and that descendents of both the villages’ community would henceforth exist in unity, harmony and goodwill. The joint declaration was made during a meeting held in Phiro village.
The declaration stated that as per the resolution of the Tesophenyu group union council, on May 15, 2005, Tesophenyu village would allow Phiro village to draw water supply sourced from Tesophenyu without any “irreversibly” precondition. This was accepted by the people of Phiro with profound gratitude. The declaration was appended by the respective local leaders, councils and churches from both the communities.
The declaration also – while reinforcing the reaffirmation of a future in peaceful co-existence and sharing – also made clear that all disputes arising between individuals of Phiro and Tesophenyu would be resolved at the individual-council level and never turn the issue/dispute into a village/range issue. The declaration also highlighted a goodwill treaty between Tesophenyu and Phiro for which a committee will be working out the details.
Besides the generosity and humanitarian obligation towards sharing resources, what is most praiseworthy about the joint declaration between the two communities is the reminder of settling disputes at the level it befits. The Phiro-Tesophenyu declaration erected a buffer against any possibility of communalizing/generalizing disputes. Nagaland’s recent times have witnessed even trivial personal issues blowing up into full-fledged intra-communal hostilities. Tesophenyu and Phiro deserves all praise.
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