CYO refuses to revoke Maova banishment order, seeks village de-recognition and warns Nagaland government over escalating tensions
Share
-1779895345796.png&w=1200&q=75)
DIMAPUR — The Chakhroma Youth Organisation (CYO) on Wednesday refused to revoke the banishment order against three Maova villagers after a land dispute-related clash and instead urged Nagaland government to de-recognise the village.
The latest development comes amid an FIR filed by the three individuals—Sutminlal Vaiphei, Seiboi Changsan and Paoboi Changsang—against the CYO on May 18 alleging criminal intimidation and defamation.
Addressing a press conference at the Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) hall in Chümoukedima, CYO leaders maintained that the banishment order issued under Angami customary practices remains in force and accused the trio of provoking tensions despite attempts at peaceful settlement.
The organisation’s president Medochüzo Medoze said that CYO has opted for restraint out of respect for “God, elders and Naga unity” but warned that patience is running out. He said the April 19 deadline attached to its banishment order had expired with no compliance, creating unrest among youth.
Also read: CAKU, CPO unit condemn February 13 incident at Maova village
Medoze cautioned that if the trio does not leave, consequences could extend beyond the three individuals. He urged the government to intervene, dissolve the village council, suspend gaon buras (GBs) and stop development funds, stating that further delay risks escalation.
CYO advisor Seyieneilhou Keyho said that relationship with Kukis in Nagaland, especially those residing in the Chakhroma area, has been built historically and continues to exist.
According to him, the relationship did not emerge by chance but was built over generations and maintained through agreements and peaceful coexistence.
“At the initial stage of their establishment in Maova village, they followed the conditions and agreements made between them while maintaining an absolutely peaceful co-relation and brotherhood. But today, a new generation has come up,” he said.
Keyho alleged that the issue escalated despite efforts to settle matters peacefully and claimed that until February 13, the organisation had continued dialogue before the dispute turned violent.
He said that after the clash, the Maova villagers filed multiple FIRs and representations but maintained that the organisations had continued to show restraint and respect towards the government.
“As of now, we are not taking the law into our own hands. We have taken a step regarding the Maova village as a whole, but we have taken steps customarily against those three perpetrators only,” he said.
He also appealed to other Kuki villages to step in and engage with Maova village so that there remains an opportunity for resolution.
Responding to queries regarding the FIR filed against CYO, Keyho said that the complaint “holds no grounds” and was intended to defame the organisation, adding that the police would act if CYO had committed any wrongdoing.
Keyho reiterated that the banishment order stands and said the organisation expects compliance. He further alleged that the three individuals are not native to Maova village and claimed that customary boundaries had been violated.
Asked whether CYO wants the state government to enforce the March 19 banishment order after expiry of the 30-day ultimatum, Keyho said that the organisation was not setting a deadline but was “requesting, appealing, questioning and at the same time warning” the government to act.
He said that the state is the “guardian of our customary law” under the Constitution but alleged that this has remained “only on paper”. While stressing respect for government authority, Keyho warned that continued inaction could escalate the situation.
He said that another meeting will be held soon to decide CYO’s next course of action but did not disclose details.
Visako Angami, CYO associate member, alleged that Maova village has defied government and court orders since 1981 and referred to communications by deputy commissioners in 2010 and 2022 raising concerns over non-compliance. He also cited the recent appointment of a new chairman despite the dissolution of village councils.
Demanding de-recognition of the village, suspension of GBs and freezing of development funds, he said CYO and CPO have maintained peace but warned that they would intensify their own course of action if ignored.