'Dispute between Nagaland & Manipur tribe bodies resolved'
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 13 2024: In a landmark decision, the presidential council of Tenyimi People's Organisation (TPO) on Friday resolved the long standing traditional land dispute involving Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) in Nagaland and Mao Council as well as Maram Khullen village in Manipur.

This resolution brings an end to years of discord over the contested Kezoltsa/Kozuru/Kazing forest, a region located along Dzuko valley and claimed by all three parties.

According to reports published in The Assam Tribune, TPO adjudicated the dispute under the principles of Naga Customary Law, following numerous arbitration sittings.

The involved parties had agreed in 2017 to settle the issue according to their customary laws, which culminated in the verdict issued on Friday.

The TPO's decision mandates that all three parties adhere to the 2017 Arbitration Undertaking, ensuring compliance with the agreement made under Naga Customary Law.

One of the key resolutions of the council was that the disputing parties must protect the forest and its resources from any form of exploitation for the next 5Q years.

Additionally, no new vehicular roads are to be constructed, and existing ones leading to the area will be cut off.

The council also decided that representatives from the three parties will form a committee to oversee the area's ecological preservation.

While a footpath from the Tenyimi Southern Naga side to the Dzukou valley will be permitted, this does not imply ownership of the valley by any specific community or village.

The TPO's decision is to be considered final.

In case any party refuse to comply, the community will face expulsion from TPO.

The territory has been divided, designating each party as caretakers of specific areas.

The Mao Council (yellow) has been assigned the region from the first dry nullah behind the police barrack, descending from the Khunhyo range and joining the Kezol/Kozuru/Kazing River at the top, following the river until it meets the Makil/Ragung stream.

For the Maram Khullen (red), the assigned area extends from the Tingpi Karyi/Deyo-Ekhro stream, joining the Kezol/Koziiru/Kazing River, and down to the Makil/Ragung Karyi stream.

The remaining disputed area (green) has been designated for the Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO), the report said.

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