Dimapur, September 3 (MExN): Land disputes and contentions over boundaries continue to rile the state. In another instance, Old Beisampui village in Peren today denounced claims made by Old Nkio village over swathes of land which the former implied the latter is claiming. Stating that Beisampui village has every right and proof of its land, Beisampui Village Council warned that it would be forced to take legal action against Nkio.
A rejoinder from Beisampui village said that Nkio Village Council “took advantage of our weakness and claim after claims were made which saw the withdrawal of various land settlements.” The ancestral boundary is supported by documents and proof, Old Beisampui Village Council said.
“Even today we have living witness as to how New Nkio village was established after obtaining our permission. The village of Nsenlwa and Ikiesingram also included in the list. And the MOU of 1999 was a peace settlement after the imbroglio and has nothing to do with the inter-village boundary quoted in the letter of president and general secretary Zeliangrong Baudi, on February 21, 2002,” Beisampui village said.
The council also queried how Nkio Village Council is “teaching us about ‘peace and harmony’. “Is the withdrawal of land settlement thrice by Nkio council an approach to peaceful means? There is nothing fresh or old, land demarcation. We allowed all the land settlements, as stated because we see hope and (peace) with our neighbor,” the council said in response. The village said that the “wanton desire” for land by Nkio village has “taught us that only the truth and nothing but the truth will prevail.”
On the “advice for public apology,” Beisampui stated, is “mimickery.” In fact, Nkio Village Council should apologize to the neighboring villages, Zeliangrong public and the government of Nagaland for its “Hiller-like attitude” and misleading others. “We will also be forced to take legal course,” Beisampui warned.
Beisampui has also informed all in concern within its jurisdiction, taking up projects, to obtain permission to “avoid embarrassment.” “Concerned party (s) will be held responsible for any untoward incident,” the council added.
