DIMAPUR, OCT 14 (NPN): The Centre Chakhesang Youth Organisation (CCYO) and the department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (EF&CC) have agreed to settle the case involving Vezhoto Hesuh amicably outside the court following a meeting in Kohima on October 14.
According to a joint declaration issued by PCCF and HoFF Vedpal Singh, and CCYO president Dode Nakro, the meeting was held at Japfu Hotel, Kohima, at 2 p.m. to deliberate on the matter.
The declaration stated that the department had met CCYO on October 1 to resolve the issue outside the court. However, the matter remained pending as the department could not settle the case without the cooperation of Hesuh and the court.
Regarding CCYO’s demand for the return of the Great Barbet seized from Porba village, the declaration stated that the issue was settled on September 30, with the bird jointly released into the community forest of Porba village.
On CCYO’s demand for an independent and impartial enquiry into the alleged demand for Rs. 1 lakh, including identification of the officials involved, the declaration stated that the police had initiated an enquiry and its outcome was awaited.
It further stated that Hesuh had expressed ignorance of the relevant laws and a lack of awareness, maintaining that he had acted only on a rescue mission. He had also expressed his desire to settle the matter outside the court.
The declaration credited chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio’s intervention in resolving the issue and appreciated the efforts of the chief minister, the minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, village guards, advisor for Science and Technology Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, and principal secretary and development commissioner Y. Kikheto Sema, towards an amicable settlement.
