Dimapur, July 10 (MExN): The Zeme Council (N) has made clear that by tradition the encompassing areas in Jalukie Village does not belong to any entitiy non-Naga tribes or communities and that no question regarding the traditional land-holding should be raised in this regard.
The council asserted that the lands falling within Mungleu River to the West, Nkworeu River on the east extending up to Dhansiri (Temaki) river to the North belongs to Jalukie Village. The Zeme Council was reacting to certain claims by a section of the people contenting against what the council said is the historical land boundaries of the Zeme territories.
“The claims put up by some writers in some local dailies on 4th July, 2006 who were trying to confuse the historical land boundaries of Zeme territory is highly condemnable and impassable” said a statement issued by Imriet Dipeing President Zeme Council (N). The Zeme Council amply made clear that the lands falling within Mungleu River to the West, Nkworeu River on the east extending up to Dhansiri (Temaki) river to the North belongs to Jalukie Village and within that jurisdiction. Also that Zeme Villages like Nkio and Beisumpui have their ancestral land boundaries on the same line extending up to Dhansiri and bordering with Assam as per demarcation made by the British Raj during its regime in India.
“The Zeme Nagas have about 100 villages beyond Mungeumuk extending to NC Hills areas in Assam. Nagas were never bow to any ruler at any point of time and no king such as Dimasa was known to the Jalukie Villagers, or so to say the tiny habitation of Dimapur to the present state was only on recent development” the Zeme Council stated. According to the council a population of Kacharis and Mikiris during the early part of 19th Century through prior permission and by manner of paying taxes for many years had established Villages like Maisangket, Pangti, Doyapur and Mungleumuk.
“This local taxes collection was witnessed by the Bench Court Chairman, Lt. Epelung Lungalang, Peren along with Mr. Rangi G.B. of Jalukie Village during British regime. But later, the Jalukie Villagers were unable to collect anymore taxes because of the Naga National Movement. No dispute arose from these tenant Villages in the olden days and the ownership of land by Jalukie Village was well proved by the then British Government” the Zeme Council contended further.
It was informed that once during that time, Jalukie Village was known to have been penalized linked to claims of land ownership for a killed elephant somewhere around the junction of Mungleu and Dhansiri River. The council iterated that “The Zeme Villages, lands have been seen to have been encroached by some self-motivated individuals or groups.” However, the council reasserted that the ancestral boundary would forever remain and “no other forces on earth will be allowed to alter it.”
Meanwhile the Zeme Council and the Zeme Council (NEI) as well as its Nagaland units have extended condolences on the death of Deuci Siareu, Treasurer ZC (NEI) who expired after a brief illness on July 10, Jalukie ‘B’ Village. The council said that his good deeds would be remembered ever by the Zeme people in particular and the Zeliangrong in general. They prayed that the departed soul rest in peace.
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