CSOs visit disputed land to reconcile
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 07 2015 : A joint team of several civil society organisations today visited Aimol and Saivom villages, Chandel district in a bid to reconcile the two villages which are at loggerheads over a land dispute.

A dispute erupted between the two villages after five houses belonging to Saivom villagers were vandalised by some persons on March 30 .

Representatives of the All Manipur Tammi-Chingmi Apunba Nupi Lup (AMTCANL), United Peoples' Front (UPF), Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL) and National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO) visited the two villages and conducted a field assessment of the tense situation prevailing there.

Aimol village (a collective of nine villages) reported that Saivom villagers encroached into Khomaijai Khorau and started constructing houses without their consent, while Saivom villagers claimed that the land belonged to their forefathers and has been there for 11 generations.

Both the villages have been claiming that the disputed site belongs to them.

They are also claiming that they have historical records as well as relevant documents to prove their ownership of the disputed site.

Chairman of Aimol Chingshang, Kh Sumsungair stated that the allegation that a Church has been vandalised is wrong and baseless.

He added that the Aimol villages are ready to take the matter to Court if the matter gets worse.

Meanwhile the team of CSOs collectively expressed their concern over the issue and urged both sides to restrain from any form of violence.

They maintained both the communities should not indulge in any violence as it would give birth to communal tension in the society and could spread hatred amongst the indigenous people.

UPF urged concerned authorities to look into the matter and bring a peaceful solution at the earliest.

Saivom village chief, Miss Ating Christina Haokip said that both the villages have been living in peace and harmony for many generations and such sudden misunderstanding should be stopped at any cost.

The matter has not yet been reported to the police and both the villages have decided to consult the Kuki Chiefs Associations of Tengnoupal and Machi blocks and resolve the matter on the line of customary law, added a villager of Saivom.

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