Imphal, October 12 2010: A 'goodwill mission' team led by Saitu Assembly Constituency, MLA Haokholet Kipgen held consultative meetings at various villages situated along the Koubru Range to ease tension arising out of an inter-village boundary dispute.

The 'goodwill mission' tour was undertaken in the backdrop of uneasy calm between villagers of Senjam Chirang and the adjacent Haraothel, the latter falling under the jurisdiction of Sapermeina police station.

Senjam Chirang falls under Sekmai police.

The 'goodwill mission' team also comprising of Addl SP (Senapati), SDO (Saitu Gamphazol) and Officers in-charge of Kangpokpi and Sapermeina halted at Haraothel after traversing through Senjam Chirang.

Interacting with chiefs of Haraothel and other neighbouring villages scattered along the Koubru Range, MLA Haokholet Kipgen strongly stressed on exercising restraint by one and all in order to sustain the age-old fraternal bond in the area.

With the regard to the boundary dispute between Senjam Chirang and Haraothel, he pointed out that as to who own the land, currently in dispute, is inevitable and no hasty conclusion should be made that could ruin peaceful environment of the area.

Appealing to the village chiefs to maintain peace and allow relevant official process for demarcation of the exact location, the MLA also assured that the issue would be put forth to the Chief Minister for an amicable solution at the earliest.

The team also assessed the destruction recently caused to Kangchup Chingkhong Junior high School.

With regard to the boundary dispute between Senjam Chirang and Haraothel villages, it is informed that the latter had been utilising/claiming the disputed site for the past many decades.

However, as Senjam Chirang began to claim ownership of the said land by planting tree sapling and cutting firewood, Haraothel villagers had been protesting such alleged encroachment and awaiting intervention by the State authorities to restore status quo.

On October 10, a large number of villagers from Senjam Chirang armed with weapons including knife and daos closed in on Haraothel area and put up signboards claiming it as 'site for Senjam Chirang', which Haraothel villagers eventually removed after the former group moved away.

It is also informed that heads of villages located along the Koubru range including Konsa Naga, Leinong Vaiphei, Leilon Khunou, L Phaiyon, Haram Thadoi, L Melphai, Mission Lane, L Molnoi etc held a joint meeting and subsequently formed a 'cabinet committee' to tackle any emergency situation arising out of the issue.

The chiefs have also been entrusted with the task of maintaining peace and tranquillity in their respective area of jurisdiction.

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