State team inspects disputed site along Manipur-Nagaland border
Blockade called off, joint meeting held
Source: The Sangai Express
Senapati, June 03 2015 :
A high level team of the State Government including two Cabinet Ministers today visited the disputed site at Kozuri and Dzuko along the Manipur-Nagaland border.
The visiting team comprised of RD&PR Minister Francis Ngajokpa, Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar and MLA Dikho Mao.
The team was also accompanied by representatives of Mao Students, Mao police and CKDLBR members.
Soon after reaching the site, some bulldozers and JCBs were seen engaged in construction of a new road at the disputed areas.
Upon interrogation and enquiries, the workers engaged there stated that the works were initiated by a work agency through a contractor under the Government of Nagaland.
Later, the labourers and heavy machinery were driven back by the team and told to put on hold until the matter is resolved.
Interestingly, the unfinished old road leading to the disputed site from Manipur side was diverted and realigned by the present road constructions by the Nagaland work agency.
It may be noted that the incomplete road was initiated in 1998 by the Manipur Government.
Soon after returning from the inspection site, the team held a meeting at the Rest House to discuss further course of action and sought public support to resolve the matter at the earliest.
The State police there were replaced by a platoon of the IRB.
The police have been deployed at Mao Potato farm from today.
Earlier on June 2, Deputy Commissioner Jacintha Lazarus and SP K Kabib had also briefed the State Government on the present boundary crisis.
Today, the DC also met the Naga People's Organization (NPO) and discussed the issue.
Meanwhile, a joint meeting of Naga Hoho, UNC and NPO along with Mao Council was held today at Mozhu Prayer Centre located near Tadubi along the NH-2 to deliberate on the issue.
Based on the appeal made by the three apex bodies on CKDLBR to call off the ongoing indefinite economic blockade, the committee has called off the blockade with immediate effect.
However, it has warned that similar agitation will be launched if the matter is not resolved at the earliest.