Dimapur, September 6 (MExN): Village councils of the Anaki villages of Mokokchung district today issued a joint statement responding to boundary claims made by “certain quarters” over the Mokokchung-Longleng border villages’ dispute.
A statement from the village councils of Anaki, Anaki ‘C’ and Anakiyimsen was received today, understood to be in response to claims from villages under Longleng district, earlier.
Without a preface, the three Anaki villages’ statement said that on October 22 and 23, 1981, a team of 20 officers and DBs from Mokokchung and Tuensang districts administration met “on the spot.”
A host of villagers from Anaki and Shemnyuching besides neighbouring villagers were also among them, the Anaki villages stated.
The officials from Mokokchung were led by TC Kithan and Toshi Aier, then Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Mokokchung and SDO (Civil) of Tuli respectively. The officials from Tuensang was led by I Chandra, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Tuensang and Nokcha Jamir, the then SDO (C) of Longleng.
The Anaki villages explained: “Before starting the work of boundary demarcation between the two village territories, the authority read out the letters and explained in detail as decisions arrived at by both the DCs and later signed the document by all the village representatives (four persons each from all represented five villages) and the officials from both the districts as well.
“Later, an attempt was made by the officials to demarcate the boundary line as pronounced but due to shortage of labourers to cut a footpath (jungle clearing) for facilitating the officers, laying of boundary line on the ground could not be completed.
“As such, it was further resolved on the spot to have another joint meeting to be held at the earliest to chalk out a detailed programme for the same vide DC Tsg No.JUD-1(B)/81-82/239/46/4511 dt.29/10/81 which clearly stated as above in
detail.”
The statement said that on November 23, 1981 at 10:00 am, the joint meeting was held in the office chamber of the Mokokchung DC and was well-attended by both the district administration officials of Mokokchung and Tuensang, including 11 officers and both the DCs.
The meeting thoroughly discussed the problems faced by the officials deputed for demarcating and laying the boundaries on October 22 - 23, 1981.
It was stated that a unanimous decision was taken that officials from both the districts deputed earlier would meet again “on the spot” on December 14 and 15, 1981. They would meet with one NAP platoon each from both sides to finally demarcate and lay boundary line guided by the principles clearly enumerated in the documents.
It was further decided to provide all necessary funds for hiring laborers for clearing jungles and laying boundaries, the Anaki village statement said.
“Thus, finally the work was completed on the stipulated dates as above vide DC Tsg memo No.JUD-1(B)/81-82/5583 dt 30/01/82,” it stated.
Further, a sketch map was drawn which was duly signed by ADCs of Mokokchung and Tuensang and SDO(C) of Tuli and Longleng and PA to DCs of Mokokchung and Tuensang.
“So the matter has been settled but not as published in some local dailies in the recent past by certain quarters. Most of the handlers are still in service holding highly respected and responsible positions who are living witnesses,” the councils stated.
On the basis of material evidence and relevant records during April ’05, the joint statement said, the government accorded sanction for permanent structures (boundary pillar posts).
It was meant to replace the existing boundary line boulders between “the two village territories” for peaceful co-existence in the locality and “twice conveyed orders by Commissioner, Nagaland to both the concerned district administrations for early execution of the same.”
The Anaki villages stated that although the territorial issue has been settled “even if not fully restored our legitimate rights as we have been jhumming the areas, still then we are trying to abide by the decisions of the authorities concerned.”
“However, if someone wishes to take oath in any manner over our ancestral and traditional territories, we too are prepared and will be a privilege to abide by all the individual land owners on the spot,” the Anaki joint statement assured.
