DIMAPUR: The Longla Village Council (LVC) and Longla Village Students’ Union (LVSU) has strongly refuted the statements published on June 14, 2026, under the caption “Tsopoe clan clarifies on monolith dedication.”
In its rejoinder jointly issued by Longla Village Council and the Longla Village Students’ Union, it described the allegations made by the Lothatsü Tsopoe Ekhung, represented by chairman Lanthamo Tsopoe and secretary R. Ezomo Tsopoe, as “baseless, misleading and contrary to historical facts.”
The council emphasized that the grave site of the revered warrior Ranphan is located at Jonsu under Longla Village and has been preserved through oral history and customary knowledge for generations.
It rejected the characterization of the site as “unidentified and abandoned,” stating that such remarks distort historical truth and undermine the custodianship of the village community.
They clarified that the monolith dedication was carried out with its knowledge and consent, along with that of the concerned landowners and therefore the claim of non-consultation was factually incorrect.
It further noted that the contention regarding graves outside village boundaries was irrelevant, as Ranphan’s grave predates the establishment of present-day Longla Village and its boundaries.
Calling the allegations a serious affront to the historical legacy of the village, the council demanded an unconditional written apology from Lanthamo Tsopoe and R. Ezomo Tsopoe within seven days of publication.
It warned that failure to comply would compel the council to take appropriate action under customary laws and established village procedures.
Saturday, June 27, 2026