WTR directs Kuki villages to obtain settlement permit
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, July 04 2024: Wung Tangkhul Region (WTR) of the GPRN has directed two Kuki villages to obtain necessary legal settlement permission from the original land owner Kachouphung Tangkhul village for utilising natural resources of land, water and forest within the region.

On Thursday, WTR secretary Sirius Konghar served a directive to Kachouphung Kuki village and Gampal Kuki village that are under Kachouphung Tangkhul village, stating that the directive order was issued as per instructions by the Care-taker Central Administrative Officer (CAO), WTR.

The directive ordered the two Kuki villages to obtain legal permission from the original land owner Kachouphung (T) village for utilising natural resources of land, water and forest, and cautioned that non-compliance to the given order shall invite serious action.

"Kachouphung (T) village boundary is demarcated as: In the south Kachouphung (T) village and Kashung village share inter-village boundary at Lusakong.

Within the stated southern village boundary jurisdiction, Kachouphung Kuki and Gampal Kuki village settlement are found in the land of Kachouphung Tangkhul village," it said.

According to the WTR directive, Kachouphung Kuki village and Gampal Kuki village are found to settle at Kachouphung Tangkhul headman/chief late Hepho's village land.

"This reality is substantiated/proven (by a document) dated 07/10/1958 wherein all the Tangkhul and Kuki neighbouring villages have given their statement with their thumb impression on the existing fact" .

The directive named as many as 16 village chiefs and leaders from both Tangkhul and Kuki villages who were part of the testament.

The signatories included Thongkhopao, Khullakpa, Khayang Kuki village; Onsang Seikhopa, Khullakpa, Kachouphung Kuki village; Shongkholet, Khullakpa, Gampal village; Thangshei Sheikhopao, Kachouphung Kuki; Thishamphang, Mantri, Chatric village; Yartong, Khullakpa, Lakhan village; Katohei, Mantri, Ronshak village; Phillip, Village Authority, Chahong village; Onhat, wife of Thangkholet, Phungtha Kuki village; Hone, Khullakpa, Khayang village; Shairei, Khullakpa, Chamu village; Shongpu Tongkhamang, Ningthou, Langkhe; Saphei, Khullakpa, Pushing Chingthak village; Khayao, Pushing village, Chingsahanglakpa, Sambu Long; Sukuleng, Khullakpa, Shingcha village; and Hemkholun, Khullakpa, Kachouphung Kuki (Phungtha Kuki).

The directive went on to mention that "inter village boundary agreement" entered between headman of Kashung village H Khathing and chief of Gampal village D Paokhothang on January 16, 2015 witnessed by Chamu village headman Wungshim Kasar is an illegitimate agreement and also a sell-out of Naga aboriginal land.

"Consequently (i) Kachouphung Kuki village and (ii) Gampal Kuki village respectively are ordered to obtain legal permission from the original land owner Kachouphung (T) village in utilising natural resources of land, water and forest among others.

Non-compliance to this given order shall invite serious action," the order cautioned.

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