Jessami living under perpetual tension
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 31 2012: With armed intruders from across the Nagaland side of the border constantly attacking them, Jessami villagers are living in perpetual state of tension.

Within the current year itself, there were at least three occasions in which armed villagers from across the border intruded into Jassami and attacked the villagers.

Although the Government of Manipur has time and again assured protection to the villagers of Jessami, the government has not yet come up with any specific action plans to ensure lasting peace in Jessami.

The aggrieved villagers of Jessami have alleged that the present situation of uncertainty in their day-to-day living is all due to the weaknesses of Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Ukhrul district.

Speaking to Hueiyen Lanpao, a Jessami villager said that the armed intruders from the side of Nagaland have been acting smart against the villagers of Jessami knowing very well that the weaknesses of the state as well as the district administration.

The villagers from across the border do not have any respect for the state of Manipur.

So, the state Government should understand this and act accordingly.

It is a matter of serious concern that BSF personnel deployed near the Akash bridge sat watching when armed villagers from Nagaland came marching towards Jessami village, the villager alleged.

The villager further lamented over the alleged indifferent attitude of the State police force when armed villagers from Nagaland cross inside Manipur border upto a distance of 12 kms claiming that the land belong to them.

The Ukhrul district police also remained silent when Jessami villagers were beaten black and blue by the armed villagers of Nagaland.

There have been several rounds of talk between the two sides over border land dispute.

The villagers of Jessami showed the boundary records of Manipur to claim that the present boundary is the correct one.

However, the Nagaland villagers have not been able to produce any records in this regard.

As a result, the both sides agreed to hoist flags along the agreed boundary line.

During the course of talks, the land records provided by the DC of Naga Hills in 1924 were brought out and the stone erected by the Additional Commissioner in 1947 was also identified.

However, even after all these evidences have shown that the true boundary of Manipur, the villagers of Nagaland simply refused to accept the truth, another villager said.

The villager further revealed that during these meetings which were also attended by five members of Village authorities and members of Tangkhul Long Pechuri, it was agreed to put up white flags along both sides of the boundary.

However, defying all agreements, the Nagaland villagers planted red flags and stones crossing inside Manipur border.

On account of this, there is always tension in Jessami and the villagers have expressed desire to leave behind their home and hearth if the state government is not going to safeguard their lives and properties.

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