NH-2 indefinite bandh: Southern Angami Youth Organisation calls out associations interfering in land dispute

Says Manipur government has violated the arbitration undertaking signed by the rightful owners of the land – TPO, Board of Arbitrators, Mao Council, Maram and Sapo

Dimapur, March 3- (EMN): The Southern Angami Youth Organisation (Sayo) on Wednesday said that the unnecessary interference of some associations in the ongoing indefinite bandh imposed by the Southern Angami Public Organisation (Sapo) in its jurisdiction along NH-2 will only escalate the issue.

In a press release, Sayo stated that involvement of some associations by randomly threatening to counter the stance of the bandh without knowing the issue or with no intention of settling it will only escalate and prolong the matter.

Sayo stated that the deployment of armed personnel and construction of concrete structures in the disputed land by the government of Manipur, against which the bandh was called, “violates the arbitration undertaking signed by the rightful owners of the land i.e, the Tenyimi Peoples’ Organisation (TPO), Board of Arbitrators, Mao Council, Maram and Sapo, and wherein, it was firmly resolved that no activity shall be allowed in the disputed area pending resolution”.

Maintaining that the disputed area was never acquired by the governments of Nagaland or Manipur and the rights of the non-cadastral land rest with the people according to the customary tradition, and with the matter pending in the court of TPO, Sayo said the question of political boundary dispute or interference of state governments doesn’t arise.

It stated that the governments of Manipur should pay heed to the clarion call of TPO to withdraw armed personnel and dismantle the concrete structures instead of making unfounded claims over Kezoltsa area.

While appealing to all the right thinking individual and unions not to fall prey to the propaganda designed by certain section of people “whose sole intention is to escalate” the issue, Sayo also sought to know if the Assam government endorse to the counter blockade called by certain Manipur association in some pockets of the state.

Meanwhile, it appreciated various unions that understand the stand of Southern Angamis and its “tireless effort to enable an amicable solution to the pending issue through the court of customary traditions”.