Tungjoy tense following renewed land dispute with Khenzhakheno
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 22 2012:
Tension along Manipur-Nagaland border remains high following eruption of the centuries old land dispute between Tungjoy village under Senapati district of Manipur and Khenzhakheno under Phek district of Nagaland.
In the latest incident which reportedly took place in the morning of July 21, along with personnel of Nagaland Armed Police (NAB), around 50 armed villagers from across the border entered into the land of Tungjoy at Zekhao and abducted four persons - one driver and three farmers including a woman.
Although the woman was released later without any harm, the three others were set free only after being beaten up black and blue.
According to a statement jointly signed by Chairman of Tungjoy Village Authority Council RS Sosii and Secretary TM Aro, following the latest land dispute, the whole men-folk of Khezhekheno village are stationing near the Chida Post of NAP camp for any eventuality.
They have also burnt down one Shaktiman bearing registration no.MN-03T-0740 owned by one PL Dani f Tungjoy village and damaged the cabbages planted by the people of Tungjoy village.
With these happenings, the situation is very tense now and there is high possibility of escalating violence between the two villages, the statement of the Village Authority said, while drawing the attention of the Government of Manipur to look into the matter and take up necessary steps.
The Village Authority further said that the genesis of the land dispute between Tungjoy and Khenzhakheno started sometime in early part of 19th century and the dispute remains unresolved till date.
A series of meetings have been held on various occasions between the then Deputy Commissioners of Senapati and Phek districts and also between the two Chief Secretaries of Manipur and Nagaland.
In these meetings, directives were given to both the villages to maintain the status quo and not to take up any activities in the dispute area until settlement of the case.
However, the Government of Nagaland has set up Nagaland Armed Police (NAP) out post, rest camp, dams, tree plantation with fencing, construction of roads and electrification in the dispute land.
In addition, the Government of Nagaland also posted one police station and an extra Assistant Commissioner Office at Khezhakheno village and one Border Magistrate at Zeketsa under Phek district as a measure to protect their villagers in the event of any boundary dispute or any other untoward incident that may arise.
On the contrary, the Government of Manipur has not taken any preventive steps in spite of repeated appeals made for providing security and protection to the villagers and to maintain the territorial integrity of the state by deploying security forces.
Thus, the people of Tungjoy are struggling all alone in defending their rights for the past many years, the Village Authority lamented.
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