Peace appeals to Mao Council, SAPO
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 30 2015 :
Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC) and Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) have appealed to Mao Council and Southern Angami People's Organisation (SAPO) not to exacerbate the present crisis.
In a joint statement, the two bodies said that they have formed a joint peace commission to maintain peace and understanding during a meeting held at Kohima.
The Komrem Union, Manipur (KRUM)-NEI and Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) have also appealed to both Mao and Angami brothers and sisters to restore peace and normalcy in their relations.
KRUM in a statement appealed to both the communities to settle the dispute in the spirit of brotherhood and Christianity.
KRUM said that the dispute over Dzuko valley could not be settled by two communities alone.
It can be settled amicably by the two States or through the intervention of the Govt of India or the Supreme Court.
The union said that construction of road within Dzuko valley will bring ecological imbalances, reduce the natural beauty and the spirit of adventurism will be diminished by the construction.
It will be best if Dzuko valley is strictly reserved for adventure tourism keeping in mind the fragility of the environment of the valley in the interest of Manipur and Nagaland.
In a statement, ZYF urged both the communities to resolve the dispute through customary and traditional methods with the intervention of Naga apex bodies and Naga civil societies.
Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang's statement that the Naga civil bodies have been working towards bringing amicable solution regarding the land dispute based on traditional and customary practice is a positive sign and very much appreciated which is a right step towards bringing amicable settlement by avoiding further misunderstanding between the two groups, ZYF said.
It is natural to see misunderstanding and conflict even between spouse but giving enough room and space to resolve and bring mutual understanding between the concerned parties is the most important step which should not be overlooked, it said.
The Manipur State Govt's failure to refer or entrust the land dispute issue to Hill Areas Committee, shows complete disregard to the existence of the Hills Areas Committee (HAC) .
The Manipur State Govt, as if on emergency situation, deployed security forces of 4th IRB in the disputed area with the intention of bull dozing their way through without considering the pros and cons of the situation.
The Manipur Govt's deployment of security forces has only aggravated the situation which led the Southern Angami People Organisation (SAPO) to target the people hailing from Mao community even in Kohima town.
Taking so much interest in the areas where Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (MLR&LR) Act is not enforced is a politically motivated move of the Manipur State Govt which should be stopped in the interest of peaceful atmosphere to prevail, it added.
The Manipur Govt's plan to send additional security forces in the Mao-SAPO areas is not a good plan but amounts to incitement of social unrest.
Adopting repressive and aggressive approach to resolve any crucial and sensitive issue may not help in bringing mutual understanding but will prove counter-productive.
Any negative consequences as a fall out of the issue should be the responsibility of the Manipur State Govt, it added.
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