Has the Dzukou Valley of Manipur been occupied de facto by Nagaland ?

L. Ibomcha Singh *

The pristine summer landscape of Dzuko Valley , Manipur in Second Week June 2014 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

The apprehension of Dzuko Valley, a beautiful tourist spot of approximately 10 sq/ km., located at Senapati District, from disappearing from the map of Manipur due to encroachment by Nagaland had been discussed threadbare during the 3rd session of Manipur Legislative Assembly after Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA and also President of NCP, Manipur Unit raised a Calling Attention regarding the issue on 15th July, 2002.

News about the Angamis having constructed a Guest House in the Dzuko Valley had also been published in Sanaleibak on 11th June, 2002, Yakairol on 26th June and Poknapham in Dec. 2000. Further, Dr. H. Nandiram Sharma had also written a clear article on the gradual extinction of Dzuko Valley in both English and Manipuri editions of the “Sangai Express” in April, 2001, based on a Trip to Mount Isso (Tenepu), Mao, Senapati District conducted on March, 29 & 30, 2001 under the sponsorship of Adventure Academy of Manipur.

The fact that the Dzuko River running on the Manipur, Nagaland border belongs to Manipur has prevailed without doubt for the last 139 years. But the ridiculous irony is that we have no road/path leading to Dzuko Valley. Having inevitably to cross three broken, dangerous bridges, it takes three days on foot if we have to go from Mao. Whereas, it takes only 10 hrs from Nagaland.

But the Southern Angami Students’ Union charges an Entry Fee @ Rs. 20/- per person in 2001. In this regard, there have been reports about violent trouble faced by the inhabitants of Mao, who tried to intervene the above – cited system imposed by the said Union. However, the disappointing fact is that there has been no clarification from the side of the State Government to pacify the people of Manipur so far.

Under these circumstances, taking advantage of the negligence meted out by the Government of Manipur, the Nagaland Tourism Department has been trying to attract the world towards the Dzuko Valley as a part of Nagaland through its publications in “Explore India”, a 3 monthly journal started publishing since 2000.

At this juncture, what should we do? What reply have we given to the Department of Tourism, Government of India and to Nagaland about the publication or have we agreed to the their claim and subsided peacefully?

Taking all these facts into view, the said Calling Attention was raised in the Assembly on 15.7.2007 to attract the House and the Government of Manipur. A proposal for conducting an aerial survey of the valley as done by the Nagaland Chief Minister was also raised in the last short session of the House but no definite step has been taken up till date and the unfortunate fact now is that our proprietorship over this valley has gone astray.

The Government of Manipur had, in a reply to a Call Attention stated that, “Road – that is proposed to be constructed from Mao going to potato farm is about 20 kms. Mao is about 110 plus another 20. The work has just started and the road is not yet through.” It was also assured that :an official team would be sent to make a spot enquiry.” But the people of Manipur are no wiser regarding the report of the spot enquiry.

Does it not reveal that the Dzuko Valley is under de facto occupation of Nagaland? Some persons suggested that the Dzuko valley may be reserved as ‘‘No Man's Land’. However, in our humble opinion, such arrangement is always made under internationally agreed norms, in the international boundaries but not in the inter state boundaries.

So far our knowledge is concerned, a construction of kutcha road upto the foothill of Mt. Isso via potato farm at Mao was started by the PWD, Manipur in 2001. But the road remains unimproved and not pliable till now. Besides, no path has been cut to make a road from Mt. Isso to Dzuko Valley.

Construction of a proper road from Mt. Isso to the Dzuko Valley has been a long-cherished aspiration of the people of Manipur and of Mao particularly. The inhabitants of Mao have always wished to look after Mt. Isso, the highest peak of Manipur and Dzuko Valley.

To fulfill the wishes of the people, it is now important and necessary that priority be given by the Government of Manipur, and that inspite of its financial instability, a project for constructing a road be prepared by the PWD, Manipur and put up before the DONER Ministry for immediate approval and implementation. The other option is, the Ministers, MLA’s and the people of Manipur should contribute generously to make this dream a reality.

As of now, (1) the first step, the Government of Manipur can take up is to open a ‘Police Station’ at Dzuko Valley. Perhaps, a policy decision might have been taken by the Government in this regard two years back. To withdraw the security personnel provided to VIPs, Ex-VIPs and officers and deploy them for some time for protecting the said border-areas of the State.

(2) If report about the encroachment and construction of a 10 km. road inside the Manipur border by Nagaland is true, immediate action should be taken up to block the work and demolish the construction on the encroached portion, using all possible machineries by the PWD, Manipur with full security from the Home Department, Manipur. It is too late now to make any amicable negotiation, which should have been done 15 years ago.

If these or other appropriate steps be not taken up by the Government of Manipur in the shortest time, it is feared that the “Economic Blockade” called by the Committee for Kojiri Dzuko Land Boundary Resolution would turn out to be of dire consequences and move towards a perilous dimension. Unless, efforts are made to prevent giving away our land to Nagaland, our future generations will spit on our graveyards.