CPO eight-point charter of demands

DIMAPUR, JUL 17 (NPN): Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) on Friday submitted an eight-point charter of demands to the chief secretary, through the ADC Medziphema, signed by CPO president Zhato Kimho and vice president Sebastian Zumvü, reiterating its long-standing stand over the Maova village issue and seeking recognition of the rights of traditional landowners.

1. The government must enforce the recommendations of administrative officials on the field, such as, orders issued by the successive EACs of Medziphema way back in 1979-1980; and also the order of the then SDO (C) Medziphema in 2001.
2. Ensure Maova Village adheres to the historical orders/decrees of the government and pay the nominal token tax in recognition of traditional land ownership. Enforcing the then DC Dimapur Maongwati Aier’s thirty-day Ultimatum to Maova village to pay Annual Tax to Tsüüma village.
3. Immediately review the status of Maova Village Council for its repeated violations of administrative orders.
4. The law enforcing agencies must ensure that the “protection” provided by the State does not become a tool for the suppression of indigenous customary rights. Should this village remain unchecked, it will likely continue to disregard government orders as they have in the past.
5. Immediate derecognition of Maova Village since it has not been acknowledging/recognising the traditional landownership of Chakhroma people/Tsüüma Village as decreed by the then ADC Peren in 1981.
6. Immediate termination of Seiboi Changsang from the position of Head GB of Maova Village and ensure that the arrangement of hereditary GB/chieftainship be discontinued, since this practice has no mention in the Nagaland Village and Area Councils Act of 1978.
7. Suspension of issuance of New Birth Certificates, Permanent Residential certificates, Indigenous Inhabitant Certificates and all other official and Government-related documents until such a time these documents can be issued strictly based on the 1963 electoral roll.
8. Executing and overseeing the expulsion ordered against the Three (3) individuals (Namely, Sutminlal Vaiphei, former chairman, Seiboi Changsang, Head GB and Paoboi Changsang, former chairman) by the Chakhroma Youth Organisation in accordance with the Angami customary law and practices.
   While submitting the memorandum to the ADC, CPO president Zhato Kimho urged the district administration to convey the organisation’s message to the state government and seek an early response on the action to be taken.
   Kimho said CPO had remained patient and peaceful throughout the dispute, adding that the organisation had exercised restraint despite the prolonged issue.
   “We have been patient, but now we want to know what action the government will take,” he said, requesting the ADC to inform the government of the sentiments expressed by the organisation.
   He further stated that the CPO had treated the matter with restraint “like a father and son” and maintained peace despite the circumstances.
   Kimho urged the government to take decisive action, saying it should take the matter into its own hands and act against those responsible in accordance with the law.
   He also called for immediate intervention by the government, stating that action should be initiated within the next few days in response to the memorandum submitted by the organisation.