Share
Dimapur, Jan. 31 (EMN): Six Zeliang communities/organisations from Peren district have expressed ‘dismay’ over what they alleged was lack of action from the state government in relation to two issues.
A joint statement from Zeliangrong Baudi, Zeme Council, Liangmai Council, Zeliangrong Students Union, Lamhai village and Lamhai village on Friday accused the Nagaland government of adopting a ‘lopsided attitude’.
“Lamhainamdi village’s case, where on the September 6, 2019 morning, in the wee hour, 50-60 men armed with sophisticated weapons, invaded the village, indiscriminately fired upon the inmates and burned down the houses, that created war-torn scenario. That incident demonstrated serious challenge to the civilised society and an action that displayed complete disregard to the government’s ‘status quo’ order enforced in the area since June 26, 2019,” read the statement.
They reminded that the residents of the area had submitted a demand to the deputy chief minister, on his visit two days after the incident, to nab the culprits within 10 days. However, after a lapse of five months, no arrests have been made thus far, it stated.
“Secondly, Lamhainamdi village is not in disputed land, as it is in the land belonging to Lamhai village, border only with Chumukedima (Angami) traditionally from time immemorial. Instead of respecting the landowner’s right allowing to do what one wishes to do in own land, a ‘status quo’ order was imposed in the area based on complaint lodged by illegal occupants of the land. Moreover, that order practically is applicable strangely only to the real landowner, because all the intruders’ unrecognised four villages in the vicinity are allowed to do anything with impunity.
“They continue to defy the ‘status quo’ by undertaking log operation, extensive deforestation, road building, massive earth cutting works beyond Vihuto and house construction activities are going on, there is no semblance of law being applied with the same yardstick to the land intruders. Government vide No. GAB-1/33/2014(VOL-1 Dated Kohima, the 26th July, 2019 was issued to all concern in the area to maintain ‘status quo’ order of 26th June, 2019 against our fifteen days ultimatum…Whereas Lamhainamdi village is maintaining the said order till date, we are surprised that the above activities of illegal settlers in our land are not restrained whatsoever. A law of suppression of rights and denying living in dignity enforced upon the landowner, while the intruders are wilfully overlooked for whatever reasons best known to the civil administration, is belligerent acts meted out to the Zeliang community of Peren district,” they alleged.
Against this backdrop, they stated, any restriction imposed on Lamhainamdi was “unfairly prejudiced”, and shall be resisted at all cost.