MOKOKCHUNG — A group of landowners in Mokokchung, aggrieved by the state government’s non-compliance with their demand to revoke the appointment of a non-landowner to a Grade IV post in the District Youth Resources & Sports office, have extended their agitation to an indefinite shutdown of the entire Imkongmeren Sports Complex and surrounding areas starting November 21.
The protest began on November 5 with a shutdown of the District Youth Resources & Sports office after an ultimatum for the revocation of the contentious appointment went unanswered. As of November 18, the 14th day of their protest, the landowners claimed that they have not received any response from the department concerned.
Related:Mokokchung sports office shut down by landowners
They expressed frustration at the lack of response. “We are giving them two more days to respond to our demand. After that, we will take our own course of action,” they said.
According to them, the 1993 agreement between the government and the landowners mentions Imkongmeren Sports Complex and its areas; therefore, the mentioned area will be indefinitely shut down and no events or activities will be allowed from November 21.
As per this agreement, they said, “all Grade IV posts in all the concerned departments located within my land shall be offered to the landowners.”
The indefinite closure will affect Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, Indoor Badminton Stadium, basketball court, cricket pitch, gym, TT hall, youth hostel, P Shilu Park, Mayangnokcha Government Higher Secondary School hostel, and staff quarters.
The landowners have directed the Mokokchung District Sports Council, sister associations, and P Shilu Park to remove their properties from the facilities within two days, as these will no longer be accessible from November 21 onward.
In connection with the indefinite shutdown on November 5, a meeting convened by Mokokchung Deputy Commissioner Thsuvisie Phoji on November 7 between the District Youth Resources & Sports officer and the landowners ended without resolution. The District Youth Resources & Sports officer stated that the issue has been referred to the Directorate for further action.
The landowners have issued a warning that the government will be held responsible for any untoward incidents arising after November 21. They appealed to the residents of Mokokchung for cooperation and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the shutdown.