Dimapur, April 10 (MExN): The CSOs of Peren Disrict and Zeliangrong community on Sunday issued a rejoinder to a recent statement issued by Y Botovi Zhimomi, Hd GB of Kiyevi Village.
The CSOs stated that Zhimomi’s press statement was ‘provocative’ and asked the latter to withdraw the statement.
Refuting claims made by the GB, the rejoinder which was issued by the Media Cell, CSOs of Zeliangrong Community, Peren, stated that “Whatever points or reasons Botovi and Kiyevi Villagers may take or state to justify their position and rights, the truth and facts of the land owners will remain unmoved... the said landscape including Kiyevi and other illegal villages are within the traditional boundary of Lamhai Village.” It also said that the civil administration or the state Government cannot alter the age-old traditional boundary, divide or apportion the land to other District without the consent of the land owners concerned.
It gave a brief historical account of how around 40 people from the Sumi tribe approached and asked Lamhai Village land owners for a land for them to settle in the year 1939, following which the land owners granted a well demarcated land for them.
“The same was granted after exchange of customary rites performed and the present location of the village given with a clear boundary setting. Notwithstanding the fact, Kiyevi Villagers started to commit certain illegal activities in and around Tehaiki River (Khovaru) beyond the set boundary. Therefore, CR Pawsey, the then DC of Naga Hills, issued an order dt 8/7/1941 to the Kiyevi Villagers to go back to Sema Country, if they cannot go well with the old Villagers (Land owners),” the release stated.
Further, it said that an order passed in political case No. 2 of 1953 by K Bora, ADC Dimapur, allowed Kiyevi to cultivate certain portion of the demarcated areas with payment of annual land tax (Rampua) to Lamhai Village acknowledging the sole land owner. However, despite the clear order given, some Semas continued encroaching the Lamhai Land, therefore, eviction order was served and evicted the Kiyevi (B) now Khehoi Village on the May 4, 1956 ordered by K Basu, EAC Jalukie. “Subsequently on the March 3, 1983, Khehoi was booked under section 188 IPC for illegally establishing Kiyevi-(B) Village and imposed a sum of Rs. 1000/- as fine. Notwithstanding the fact, the villager re-entered and started constructing houses on therefore on March 5, 1983 another eviction drive was carried out where 26 Huts were evicted and all new settlers were directed to go back to their respective Villages,” it added.
According to the release, in 1976, Kiyevi villagers approached the ADC, Peren Sub Division, for shifting of the Village to a new location in the Rangapahar Reserve Forest stating that the present land area has become too small for further development. ADC Peren forwarded their request to DC, Kohima and the village had shifted in 1979 to the new site and the State Government had recognized the village on February 3, 1993 under the new name Kiyato and the rest of the villagers who remained behind at the present Kiyevi village, under age-old bond of understanding with Lamhai Village, were allowed to remain within the given land boundary.
Stating that several instances of land disputes had cropped up provoking the land owners in the past, the release stated that goodwill prevailed and patience was extended to the Kiyevi villagers even after the established terms of understanding were violated.
The release further stated that following the March 22 incident wherein three lives were lost, “the Lamhai Village Council had abrogated the term of customary act of granting the land to the Kiyevi Villagers and demanded to vacate the village. However, due to pendency of the Court case, the matter being sub-judiced, and thus further action is kept in suspension.”
In this connection, the release cautioned and informed the GB and Kiyevi villagers to withdraw the statement, failing which ‘befitting action’ would entail without further notice.
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