Kohima, February 15 (MExN): The Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO) on Sunday expressed strong condemnation of the February 13 incident involving the President of the Chakhroma Public Organization (CPO) and certain citizens, allegedly by the Maova village authority and its residents.
In a statement, SAPO described the incident as a “reprehensible act of aggression” and termed it an affront to the cultural ethos of the region. The organisation said such actions would not be tolerated as they threaten peaceful coexistence.
Referring to the alleged incident, SAPO claimed that the President of CPO was threatened and physically assaulted, and that stone-pelting was directed at district administration officials and citizens of Chakhroma. It termed the reported confrontation with government agencies and public organisations as unacceptable and condemned it “at the highest level.”
SAPO stated that Chakhroma citizens have coexisted peacefully with villages under its jurisdiction for a long time and maintained that there were no legitimate grounds for insecurity. It also asserted that developmental activities undertaken through legal ownership or purchase of land have contributed to the growth of Dimapur, Chumukedima and Kohima districts.
The organisation extended support to the statement issued by the Angami Public Organization (APO) and commended its commitment to peaceful coexistence.
SAPO urged all communities to respect the rightful landowners and avoid violence, advocating mutual respect, understanding and harmony. It further stated that if any village felt insecure due to developmental works carried out by landowners, relocation to another area could be considered instead of resorting to confrontation.
The organisation said it stands ready to extend cooperation and assistance to maintain peace within its jurisdiction and expressed hope that the incident would not recur, fostering cordial relations among all communities in the region.
