Meluri violates pacts with Hohos, Jessami charges
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 30 2012: With Melluri villagers violating the agreement reached with two Hohos, Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and Pochury Public Forum (PPF), in connection with the land dispute between Meluri and Jessami Village, tension erupted in Jessami area.

But it was later cooled down.

According to a press statement jointly signed by Ayete Wezah, Chairman of Jessami Village Council and Nipekhwe Lohe, Secretary of Jessami Village Council, both Meluri and Jessami Village Councils agreed that the dispute shall be decided by PPF and TNL after consulting both the Villages in matters pertaining to the land dispute.

It was also agreed upon to reaffirm the two directives, namely Nov 23, 2011 directive given by TNL and PPF and the April 21, 2012 directive given by Ukhrul and Phek DCs along with the two Hohos which directed that Meluri Village Guards shall not move about with arms.

However, taking advantage of the people of Jessami adhering to the orders, some villagers of Meluri armed with SBBL guns under the protection of some miscreants with SLR guns in full combat military uniform and 303 armed Village guards cross over the disputed area till 4 km from Jessami on 28 May 2012, and seized the cell phone of a poor cowherd of Jessami village (which was later returned).

They even tried to set fire in the jungle, heaped and erected stones as well as hoist red cloth in several places in undisputed areas.

They also slashed all yongchak trees at a farm and burnt a hut and 24 stacks of fire woods that were collected in different undisputed places by the people of Jessami, it added.

As a consequence, tensions were rising in the border area.

However, it was cooled down with the intervention of the Officer In-charge of Jessami police Station who pacified the angry youth and went to the spot to see the matter with his guards and urged the Border Security Force stationed at Akash Bridge to prevent such actions of the Meluri people so that the peaceful talk between the two villages is not disturbed, the statement informed.

It further urged the Meluri villegers to avoid such activities so as to bring an amicable solution on the disputed areas under the two Hohos and clarified that no frisking or harassing of travelers were carried out by the Jessami people.

No such acts will also be meted out to any one in future until and unless the villagers of Jessami are provoked, it stated categorically.

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