Dimapur, March 29 (MExN): Condemning the March 22 incident, the Western Sumi Youth Front (WSYF) stated that “painting any such act of unknown criminals into tribal colour pending due investigation is posing great danger to the delicate social fabric of the Nagas and considerable degree of hate, suspicion and threat is being directed against the Sumis in general.”
WSYF in a press release issued through its Media Cell said that the ‘nature of contentions being mainly of inter-district boundary, land encroachment issues, village recognition and other such issues concerning Aqahuto Area and Peren district have in the past escalated into loss of precious lives of both communities; however, the same never escalated to the present degree of danger and threat to the lives of both communities.’
Stating that the present state of affairs is “without doubt the direct outcome of the attempt to establish a new settlement (namely Lamhainamdi) within Kiyevi village land in the year 2018-19 which escalated into a warlike situation and to this effect, the state government posted law enforcement agencies at the site.”
Subsequently, the concerned authority considering the situation, issued certain interlocutory orders directing the parties to maintain status quo and for eviction of illegal settlers from the site. “However, the complete failure of the concerned government authority either to implement the status quo or the eviction of illegal settlers from the bonafide land of Kiyevi village land has left sufficient room and space for the perpetrators to commit such heinous crimes right in front of their nose,” it alleged.
According to WSYF, in this regard, the order for removal of illegal settlers from Kiyevi village land was issued by the Joint Commissioner, Nagaland vide order dated July 8, 2019 and the order for maintaining status quo was issued by the Chief Secretary, Nagaland vide order dated June 25, 2019 wherein it is cited that, “ ...report has been received from the Commissioner, Nagaland that serious Law and Order situation is apprehended after the reported activities for establishing a new settlement by the name of Lamhai Namdi...” and, “...therefore it is hereby ordered that status-quo shall be maintained by all parties concerned and no activity whatsoever for any development or construction shall be carried out in the disputed area till the cases are settled by the Honourable Courts and land boundaries are demarcated between the Dimapur and Peren districts...”
It also alleged that “the failure of the concerned authority in enforcing government authority in the form of status quo and removal of illegal settlers from Kiyevi village land is apparent in the fact that the land in question has been used as the burial site for the victims which in itself is a blatant violation of government order right before them” and is “bound to further add fuel to the already volatile situation which is unacceptable from every point of view.”
Considering the “lackadaisical and indifferent response of the concerned government authority”, the WSYF stated that “the authorities have miserably failed to prevent the escalation of violence and the subsequent loss of lives.”
Expressing lack of confidence upon the concerned government authority in ensuring peace and safety in relation to the March 22 incident, the WSYF made an appeal to “all the Sümi inhabitants of Peren district to abandon and return back to the safety of their native villages and/or under the jurisdiction of Western Sumi areas for their own safety until the concerned government authority enforces and implement in letter and spirit, the eviction/removal of illegal settlement from Kiyevi village land and maintain the status quo as per the order issued by the Chief Secretary, Nagaland and the Joint Commissioner, Nagaland vide order dated June 25, 2019 and order dated July 8, 2019 respectively.”
Meanwhile, the WSYF extended condolence to bereaved families.
