Following the border dispute between Khezhakenoma village under Phek district and Tungjoy village under Manipur’s Senapati district, the state deputy chief minister Y. Patton, who also holds home portfolio, Saturday inspected the dispute area and announced that police camp would soon be set up at Khezhakenoma village.
Deputy chief minister accompanied by minister planning and coordination Neiba Kronu, DGP Nagaland T. J Longkumer, commissioner Nagaland and others also inspected Chida Post at Khezhakenoma village.
The delegation inspected all the erected borders set up by British administration between Khezhakenoma village and Tungjoy village.
During the visit, it was also witnessed that Tungjoy villagers acknowledged the border and planted pine trees on the same spot where stone pillar was earlier erected by British government in 1872. It was informed that the pillars were destroyed in 1992, but was re-erected in 2019 by the district administration.
Speaking to Nagaland Post at the site, Patton informed that he was in touch with Manipur government and also spoke with the chief minister Manipur N Biren Singh. Patton said that Singh also advocated for maintaining peaceful coexistence between the two villages.
Patton said the two states would have a sitting very soon and sort out the issues amicably. Patton maintained that any land that belonged to the state should not be given away, but should be protected and fought for “our rights”. He said the boundary was very clear and that there was no fault of Khezhakenoma villagers.
Assuring to take up the matter with Manipur government, he informed that reinforcement would be strengthened after setting up the police camp. Patton also appealed to the villagers not to take any hasty decision, but to give chance to the government to settle the matter amicably.
It was also learnt that the government assured to provide financial assistance to the dobashi (DB) who was allegedly assaulted by Tungjoy village on February 15.
Minister Neiba Kronu also appealed to the villagers to extend cooperation to the government while acknowledging the presence of the deputy chief minister, who personally visited the site to take stock of the situation.
Commissioner Nagaland Rovilatuo Mor informed that in spite of the judgment orders being clear enough, it was disheartening to see that the dispute continued. He asserted that the issue has to be settled permanently.
Also, speaking to Nagaland Post at the site, Khezhakenoma youth organization president Senovielhou Koza reacted against the rejoinder issued by Tungjoy Village Authority Council and Tungjoy Youth & Students’ Organisation.
Defending the DB, Koza said that on February 15 the DB was on duty in the village and only on the direction of the EAC, he had gone to verify the spot and issue flared up with his abduction.
He maintained that the issue should be settled permanently and concrete wall along the boundary must be erected to ensure that such occurrences did not occur in future.
TPO president Timikha Koza informed that villagers of Tungjoy villagers demolished the pillars erected by the British government in 1992, but the district administration re-erected the pillars in 2018.
Timikha said another stone-pillar was erected by Captain Butler and Dr. Gordon in 1872 and since then watershed principle was well maintained.
Reacting on the rejoinder issued by Tungjoy village council, Timikha said the Tungjoy village should first establish the facts before claiming anything.
Stating that abducting a government servant was a pure violation of human rights, Timikha said DB was a gentle and peace-loving human being.
He said Khezhakenoma village desired for peaceful coexistence, but termed as “unfortunate” that the issue went from bad to worse to the extent of abduction and assault.
DC and SP Phek, senior police officers from PHQ, assistant director border affairs, government officials from Pfutsero, GBs, villagers and others accompanied the delegation.
DB abduction case: Non-bailable warrant issued against four ring leaders, says DG
DGP Nagaland TJ Longkumer said a case was registered against the alleged abduction and assault of dobashi (DB), adding that the court has issued non-bailable arrest warrant against “four ring leaders”.
DGP said this would be executed through the government of Manipur. Longkumer informed that non-adherence with the order would lead to contempt of Court, which he said would be even more severe.
Asserting that abduction of any individual was a crime under any law, DGP said SIT was constituted headed by SP Crime to probe into the case, adding that he was still working on the case.