NPF goodwill mission mediates over tribal imbroglio
Dimapur, September 7 (MExN): The situation in Kiphire between the Sangtam and Yimchunger communities apparently began after the Nagaland government chose Pungro town although the initial decision was to hold the road show at Kiphire headquarter coinciding with Mongmong festival. This was stated in a statement received here from NPF leaders who visited Kiphire today.
A team of NPF leaders were in Kiphire town September 4, 2010 on a “good will mission” and had series of meetings with officials and leaders of the United Sangtam Likhum Bumji (USLB), Yimchunger Tribal Council (YTC), administration of Kiphire and police, students and others. Core issues leading to the Sangtam-Yimchunger conflict during the past months were discussed, NPF central office leaders said in the statement.
According to the statement, proposal and cancellation of the celebration of road-show-Metemneo festival in Pungro, “which is, as opined by the concerned tribal leaders of Kiphire” the root cause of the present imbroglio. The NPF said that on May 19 MLA Kipili Sangtam arrived in Kiphire and informed that the chief minister had, the previous day, told him over phone to confirm the venue for the road show.
The NPF stated: “It was thus in the following DPDB meeting that following adequate consultations among the leaders of the USLB, YTC and Sumi community of Kiphire district, a unanimous decision to hold the road show at Kiphire headquarter coinciding with the Mongmong festival was taken. However, when arrangements were going full swing for the same, to the utter surprise of all concerned, the government chose Pungro as the venue for the road show-Metemneo festival despite its own (government’s) standing order prohibiting social, religious or student conference at Pungro, Shamator, Tobu and so on, ignited the turmoil.”
The NPF’s goodwill visit report was issued by Vice President TL Merry and Chairman, NPF Life Member Cell P. Patton. It went on to make the following observation: “Citing inferences of bans imposed on ENSF and other conferences at Pungro earlier, including a joint meeting with the Commissioner, Nagaland attended by the USLB and YTC turned down the proposal/request for celebration of Metemneo cum road show at Pungro, the USLB took its firm stand on the decision.
Thereafter, unease and commotion amongst the Sangtam and Yimchunger communities erupted and at one point of time, serious Law and order problem could have taken place had it not been for the prompt and impartial intervention of the district administrative officers, Law enforcing agency and other district officials headed by the Deputy Commissioner, C.M. Tsanglao with active support and cooperation of Kiphire based tribal leaders, to ensure normalcy”.
On those who fled Kiphire, the NPF said “some Yimchunger residents” including students, government employees and others left under cover of darkness “for which the USLB has given written as well as verbal appeals to return, assuring them of all safety, normal and peaceful coexistence.”
During the course of the meeting, members of the NPF “good will mission” heard issues about “the lack of any favorable judgment delivered in the land dispute case, claiming ownership of land; that in the year 1953, Pungro land was given for developing Administrative headquarters.”
Similarly, on September 5 leaders of the Yimchunger Tribal Council, the Pungro Town Public Forum, GBs and Pungro Students’ Union and members representing the different organizations aired their opinions to the visiting team. The YTC lamented the government’s delay in solving the decades-old land case and that it was “quite confusing on the claim of the Sangtams in respect of the actual area, as it used to shift from one location to another, ranging from Aloo kheti to two other locations.” It was stated that the “greed for land was the root cause of the prolonged imbroglio.”
In response to the appeal for return of all who fled Kiphire, the YTC requested students who could not appear their exams held during their absence be taken back in their respective schools with assurance for their safety normal participation in the final exams year ending; government servants who have not been able to attend office duties be allowed to resume normal duty without any condition.
Taking the request of the YTC the NPF team again met the Deputy Commissioner of Kiphire and ‘assurances were obtained from the district officials.’ The Deputy Commissioner, SP and the USLB officials assured all necessary action and impartial “services” towards maintaining peace for the coexistence of all. “…the deputy commissioner would take up the matter with respective district department authorities for resumption of studies for the students and normal office duties for the government servants and that, the USLB would extend all support wherever it may be needed,” the NPF said.
