Over six dozens Mao residents airlifted from Dimapur
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 20 2022:
The state government on Tuesday airlifted as many as 66 people belonging to the Mao tribe of Manipur from Dimapur in Nagaland, who were left stranded following the restrictions imposed on Mao people by Southern Angami People's Organisation (SAPO) from entering Angami areas in Nagaland.
Most of the stranded Mao denizens are students pursuing higher studies in other states and youth employed in private companies returning home for the Christmas holiday.
Following the ban on Mao people and consequent burning of a truck and assaulting Mao residents, they have no other choice but to stay in Dimapur for their own safety.
The airlifted Mao residents were accorded warm welcome at Imphal International Airport by a team of Mao-Imphal Market Coordination Committee.
Interacting with the media at the airport, convenor Khuraijam Athouba said that the Committee had on December 17 submitted a memorandum to the state government for arranging safe return of the stranded Mao residents by December 21 .
While conveying gratitude to chief minister N Biren for the government's swift response and action, he also appealed to the state government to bring a permanent solution to the issue through diplomatic channel by verifying land records with involvement of ministry of home affairs, Nagaland government and Surveyor General of India.
Other than a solution through the official channel, a mere solution through a self-made customary law of some Angami groups cannot be acceptable, Athouba said.
Angami customary law might apply in Nagaland but such practice has no jurisdiction or validity in Manipur, he affirmed while stating that an official resolution involving political maps of both the neighbouring states should be the only solution to the issue and any individual or public leader who stands against such solution should be declared as public enemy and dealt with appropriately as per the law.
Meanwhile, Mao Students' Union Dimapur president Samuel Kape, who was also among the airlifted Mao residents, conveyed that the situation is critical and it would be dangerous for any residents of the state, especially from Mao areas, to return home by road.
They are thankful to the state government, Mao MLA and Mao Imphal Market Coordination Committee for airlifting the stranded people, he said.
Informing that there are around 100 Mao residents still stranded in Dimapur, he appealed to the government to airlift them too so that they could return home safely and enjoy the Christmas holiday.