Choro village opposes
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, July 02 2013: Villagers of Choro Khunou under Kamjong Block of Ukhrul District along the Indo-Myanmar border have raised stiff opposition to the alleged move of the Government to give away Choro Khunuo village to Myanmar in order to retain Moreh in its possession.

Strongly decrying the move, the villagers today conveyed their resolute pledge not to compromise with their ancestral land at any cost.

The villagers said that the Govt move is nothing but an act of infringement on the rights of the border villagers.

They said that the Government has no authority to own or exchange their land without consulting the authority of the land while maintaining that the tribal land does not come under any land revenue Act of the State.

Peeved at the alleged 'unlawful move' of the Government, the villagers said Choro Khonuo village has been consistently paying tax to the Indian authority and received most of development and welfare schemes from the Indian Government like IAY, PDS etc and other developmental programme sponsored by the State as well as the Central Govt.Kaphungyui, the village Headman while talking to reporters, stated that both Choro Khunuo and Khullen are under the jurisdiction of Choro, a Govt recognized village settlement.

They are also issued Indian electoral identity card.

Deeply depressed with the policy of the Government that attempted to give away his village to Myanmar authority, the village headman also strongly condemned the publication in the State papers about retention of Moreh at the cost of Choro Khunuo.

He further said that Choro is blessed with abundant timbers, rich fertile soil favourable for all types of crops and fruits, and beautiful landscape for human habitation.

The land lies in between Border Pillar No 90 and 93.It is bounded by Thanan and Tap townships of Myanmar on the eastern side while it is bounded Ashang Khullen and Kangkum on the South.

In 2006, the Government had projected the same proposal for bartering Moreh, whereby the villagers and the Tangkhul community strongly opposed and rejected at once, the headman pointed out.

The second attempt for retention of Moreh at the cost Choro Khunuo measuring an area of 1.40sq km should not be materialised at any cost, he pledged while adding that the Government policy will bear no good result but will only tantamount to undesirable outcome.

The villagers further urged the GOI to direct the State Government not to maintain secret document in matter relating to Choro Khunuo village while also urging the Govt to abandon the proposal to retain Moreh at the cost of Choro Khunuo Village.

It may be mentioned here that the Tangkhul Naga Long has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India on June 24 urging him to abandon the proposal to retain Moreh at the cost of Choro Khunuo situated at Kamjong Block of Ukhrul District.

The Tangkhul apex body has fervently appealed for immediate intervention of the PM in the matter.

It further said that any settlement reached by the GoI and GoM at their own will without consulting the land owner will never be accepted at any cost.

The memo pointed out that the border dispute is at Moreh and not at Choro.

The body further demanded for the classified document secretly maintained by the State Home Department that Indian Government has offered to hand over Choro Khunou to Myanmar for retention of Moreh along the border Pillar no 75 and 79 .

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