Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Oct. 28: The working coordination committee on Zeliangrong land issues (WCCZLI) of Peren distirct has issued a statement informing that no government offices shall be allowed to function in any manner, starting Nov. 1. Even the movement of government-registered vehicles in the district will be restricted.
However, it mentioned that educational institutions and health centres are exempt from the purview of the bandh. The statement was issued against the recognition of Khehoi village by the government on July 7, 2018.
The committee described the recognition as a serious insult and a direct challenge to Lamhai village in Peren, as well as the Zeliangrong community. “This recognition was accorded without following proper government norms and procedures. The so-called Khehoi village falls within the land of Lamhai village. 'No Objection Certificate' was not even obtained from the landowner which is a must required document for granting recognition to a new village,” the statement quoted the committee as saying.
Kiezen Zeliang, the convener of WCCZLI told Eastern Mirror over the phone that if the government fails to give any assurance on or before Oct. 30, the committee would be compelled to go ahead with the bandh. However, Zeliang added that the group is ready to listen to the government, which should be done before the stated date, Oct. 30.
Mentioning that Khehoi village was evicted twice by the government in 1976 and 1983, it alleged that the government did so due to the very fact that it was ‘illegally established.’ It stated that the government has also placed Khehoi village under Dimapur district which was not at all acceptable to the people of Peren district.
According to Zeliang, Lamhai village council and Mhainamtsi village council submitted a joint ultimatum to the government on Sep. 3. 2018 but the government failed to honour the ultimatum which compelled the Zeliangrong community to take its own course of action.
Zeliang stated that the bandh will be indefinite and may escalate to ‘destruction of government properties until government revoke the recognition order.’ He said that the government would be held responsible for any loss of life or any untoward incidents arising out of the issue.
