Mao Council refutes SAPO claim; Haga Hoho concerned-II
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 17 2022:
continued from previous issue .
"Today is the second day of the ban imposed on Mao people on the NH in view of the whole world.
It can well be imagined how they would behave and carry themselves up in the forest and in the valley away from the glare and attention of the public," it further alleged.
The statement also expressed that the Mao people do not live in isolation and are presently under the state of Manipur.
"We have our own issues of injustice and suppression meted out to the tribals, who are under domination of the majority community and whose interest determines the state government's policies," it said.
"But in the environment briefly highlighted above, the Mao people still have the right to roam freely, forage and live off the land in their own traditional land without being threatened, abused and detained by unlawful armed elements roaming the Dziiko and Koziirii area".
It then asked, "And for such crying needs and rights, will the public point their fingers and cry aggression with the help of the Manipur Government?".
The Council further posed, "And with who should the Mao people promote festivals, tourism and development in our land if not with Manipur Government?".
The statement asserted that Mao people cannot be prohibited from living their lives, least of all from taking up any activity "within our own traditional land" that is well between the bounds of law and of the "Arbitration Undertaking".
MC also stated that as already communicated to the TPO, given the atmosphere that has been severely vitiated by the SAPO statement and the on-going ban on Mao people, the venue for the joint meetings scheduled for December 18 and 19 at Kohima should be changed to a neutral venue where tribal delegates would not be subjected to the ignominy of identification, permission and duress of the SAPO while travelling to attend the meeting.
"Should the request for change to a neutral venue be refused as strongly called for by the prevailing situation, the Mao Council and its arbitrators will be compelled to abstain from the scheduled meetings," it further cautioned.
Meanwhile, in regard to the "land dispute between Mao Council, Naga Hoho and Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO)", the Naga Hoho said that Nagas have traditional practices to resolve any disputes by way of customary laws.
It also stated that the Naga Hoho.
is "genuinely concerned" over the land dispute at Kezoltsa between Mao Council and SAPO.
"Nagas have traditional practices to resolve any disputes by way of customary laws.
Therefore, the Tenyemie People's Organisation (TPO) has been giving its best efforts to resolve the issue taking into confidence both the conflicting parties," the Naga Hoho conveyed.
However, according to the Naga Hoho, due to the involvement of the Manipur government, the matter has taken a retaliatory turn and further emphasised that "Nagas have the right of ownership of their land and the state must uphold and protect the traditional land ownership, rather than creating endless disputes" .
Naga Hoho further appealed for amicable settlement through mutual respect and understanding and not through conditions or strictures to one another within the family members in the true spirit of Christian faith/belief.
"Let us remember that Nagas are one people wherever they are, which is not by circumstances but by blood.
We should not allow any authority on earth to divide the Nagas either emotionally or physically," the Naga Hoho said.
(Concluded) .
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