Government working to resolve border dispute
Approach road to Tungjoy soon: Dy CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 05 2020: Asserting that the State Government has been working towards settling the long standing dispute between Tungjoy village of Senapati district and Khezhakenho village of Phek district (Nagaland), Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar has assured constructing an approach road to Tungjoy village at the earliest.

He made the assurance while speaking as the chief guest during the inaugural function of Tungjoy Glory Day celebration, which was held yesterday at Glory hall, Tungjoy and while responding to a memorandum submitted by Tungjoy Village Authority Council.

The memo drew the State Government's attention towards the long standing land dispute between Tungjoy and Khezhakenho and also demanded the construction of an approach road and community hall at Tungjoy, apart from upgrading the village PHSC to PHC.

Government working to resolve border dispute

The memorandum alleged that the Nagaland Government is carrying out many developmental works in the disputed area, including construction of an NAP Camp, offices for Extra-Assistant Commissioner, Forest Beat and Border Magistrate etc.

Responding to the memo, Joykumar said that the land dispute between Tungjoy and Khezhakenho, was discussed in a Cabinet meeting and the Ministers have all expressed the need for constructing necessary infrastructure at the villages located at the State's border.

He further reminded that a Ministerial team led by him, had already inspected/visited the disputed area in the recent past and assured that the State Government is seriously considering all available options for settling the issue quickly.

Saying that the proposal for constructing a community hall can be fulfilled through the initiatives under TD Department and upgrading the PHSC to a PHC is reasonable, Joykumar asserted that he will consider the demands of Tungjoy Village Authority Council with the Ministers concerned and try his best to do the needful.

He also conveyed that it will be better to discuss the matter of upgrading the PHSC with the Health Minister as the latter is also from the same political party as him.

Joykumar then lauded the Tungjoy villagers for protecting their age old cultures and traditions while stressing on the need for keeping a balance between modernisation and preserving one's cultures and traditions.

On the other hand, PHED Minister Losii Dikho described Tungjoy village as a historical village which has the distinct feature of being one of the oldest and biggest villages in Senapati district.

Saying that Tungjoy is blessed with rich agricultural productivity besides being thickly populated mostly by many educated people, Dikho asserted that the village is socially very stable and is well known for sustaining their culture, peace and harmony, social-economic development and social life in Senapati district.

"Mao Constituency covers around a 50 km stretch from Mao to Lai bordering Ukhrul.

This whole stretch of Mao touches Nagaland borders and as such, has many land disputes.

This has always been a major problem between the bordering villages of the two States", he continued.

He also conveyed that constructing an approach road and establishing a police station and other necessary amenities/infrastructure are in the pipelines.

Apart from the cultural troupes of the villagers singing traditional songs and showcasing varied cultural dances, "Beiphya" which has been practiced in Tungjoy as a game of war practice, attracted a large crowd during the function.