DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 13 (MExN): The Working Coordination Committee on Zeliangrong Land Issues (WCCZLI) has strongly objected to the recent recognition of one Khehoi village (erstwhile Kiavi ‘B’ village) vide Order No. GAB-1/COM/333/2014 dated 07.07.2018 and has termed it as a serious "insult and a direct challenge" to the landowners, i.e. Lamhai village as well as the Zeliangrong community.
In a representation addressed to the Deputy Commissioner, Peren, the WCCZLI stated that the recognition of the said village was accorded without proper government norms and procedures. It maintained that even though Khehoi village falls within the land of Lamhai village, no objection certificate was obtained from the landowner which is a must required document for granting recognition to a new village.
Further, the Committee stated that the said village was also "evicted twice by the Government in 1976 and 1983 due to the very fact that it was illegally established."
"To add salt to the already inflicted wound, the Government has placed Khehoi village under Dimapur district," the Committee pointed out.
It reminded that the Lamhai Village Council and Mhainamtsi Village Council had also given a joint ultimatum to the Government on September 3, 2018 to revoke the Order on or before September 30, 2018 failing which the landowner shall be compelled to seek its own course of action to get justice.
The Committee also maintained that since the beginning of the establishment of the said village till date, the landowner has kept faith on the Government to deliver justice, because of which the landowner has not retaliated even once in spite of the numerous intimidation by the land encroachers.
However, the lackadaisical attitude of the Government in failing to honour the joint ultimatum of the Lamhai and Mhainamtsi Village Council has compelled the landowner and the Zeliangrong community to take our own course of action, it added.
In this connection, the Committee, as a mark of protest, has warned the district administration that no Government offices under Peren district shall be allowed to function in any manner from November 1, 2018. No Government registered vehicle shall also be allowed to ply within the district during the bandh period.
However, educational institutions and health centres shall not fall under the purview of the bandh, it added. The Committee stated that the bandh shall be indefinite and may escalate to the destruction of Government properties until their demand for ‘revocation’ of the ‘Recognition Order’ is made. It also cautioned that the Government shall be solely responsible for any loss of life or any untoward incidents arising out of this issue.
