DIMAPUR, APRIL 1 (MExN): The Western Sumi Youth Front (WSYF) has appealed to the Nagaland State Government to finalize the inter-district boundary between Dimapur and Peren districts at the earliest.
Till then, it urged the State Government to reiterate the earlier order dated June 25, 2019 to maintain status quo and direct both sides not to take any further activities.
This was stated in a memorandum to the Nagaland Chief Minister submitted by the WSYF President, Mughavi Awomi and General Secretary, Bohoi Yeptho through the Dimapur Deputy Commissioner on April 1.
It stated that the Dimapur-Peren inter district border requires urgent attention to prevent any volatile situation involving different communities in the aftermath of the March 22 incident where three persons were killed by unidentified miscreants.
The WSYF reiterated its condemnation of the killing and appealed to the law enforcing agencies to apprehend the culprits at the earliest.
It meanwhile apprised the CM of the chronology of events and the contentions till date and the inception of Kiyevi Village under Dhansiripar Sub-Division, Dimapur with supporting documents.
The WYSF memo described how Kiyevi Village was established in 1939 under Kohima District, before the creation of Dimapur and Peren Districts. It referred to the series of incidents and orders since 1939, which were in consonance with the report of the Dimapur DC on June 21, 2019.
The report stated that “the land between Khuva Nallah and Langlung River is known as Western Sema block as per the documents made available by the Western Sumi Hoho and Kiyevi Village.”
“The proposed new Village Lamhai Namdi is bordered by Kiyevi, Vihuto (unrecognized), Mhainamtsi and Khehoi Village (unrecognized). It may be mentioned here that in the year 2000, 6 (six) persons belonging to Mhainamtsi Village were ambushed and killed near the present location where Lamhai Namdi Village is proposed,” the 2019 report added.
The then DC summed up the report stating that the authority “is aware that two disputing parties cannot resolve their own dispute within themselves.”
The WYSF pointed out that on June 25, 2019, the Home Commissioner issued an order to maintain status-quo and directed both sides not to undertake any further activities.
It however stated that even after clear directives given by the State Government, “the Lamhai Council allowed their people to continue developing the village.” The WYSF said that the on September 22, 2019, the Rongmei Council Nagaland (RCN) had clarified that it has “nothing to do with the establishment of the contentious Lamhainamdi village.”
It further noted that on February 1, 2021, the Dimapur DC submitted a joint verification report to the Commissioner, Nagaland, stating that some activities are being carried out allegedly by people belonging to Peren District and requested to issue directives for maintenance of status quo to parties concerned to avoid any law and order situation.
Another joint verification report by the District Administrations of Dimapur and Peren on March 5 stated that “some outsider cleared the jungle including cutting of teak plantation in the adjourning areas of paddy field which has been cultivating by Kiyevi village for many years,” the WYSF said. “They have also constructed Kaccha houses, proposed Prayer Centre etc,” the report added.
Alleging that on February 19, 2021, “suspected Zeliangrong attacked the Khehoi village and burnt down houses, and also destroyed plantation, crops etc,” the WYSF expressed surprise that “there was no condemnation/action by the State Government nor from the civil societies.”
The WYSF alleged that “Zeliangrong people continued to develop, construct houses, cultivate by deliberately destroying the plantation of Kiyevi village and established a new self-style Lamhainamdi village in Kiyevi land. They also threatened, provoked Kiyevi villagers and the neighbouring Sumi villages with blank fire of guns and by flashing torch lights at night towards Sumi villages.”
It regretted that despite reports submitted by the District Administration to the higher authorities, the State Government failed to protect the land of Kiyevi village and its citizens and neighboring Sumi villages; thus leading to the unfortunate escalation of violence on March 22, 2021, “which could have been avoided had the State Government intervened timely.”
It claimed that even after the incident, “Lamhainamdi villagers are still engaged in developing the land and constructing houses in Kiyevi Village land, guarded by miscreants.”
The WSYF appealed to the State Government to immediately intervene by “driving out the illegal settlers” and to direct maintenance of status quo.
