Good neighbourly relations vital for development — Rio

Dimapur, Jan. 8 (EMN): Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday said that ‘good neighbourly relations between the state of Nagaland and Manipur is vital for overall development and urged the Tenyimi Peoples’ Organisation (TPO) and Southern Angami Public Organisation (Sapo) to make all out effort to settle land dispute amicably.

Rio was speaking at a joint meeting with the representatives of TPO, Sapo, Angami Public Organisation (Apo) and Southern Angami Youth Organisation (Sayo) which was held to discuss matters relating to land issues and measures to control the wildfires that have devastated the areas in and around Dzükou Valley and Kezoltsa forest, informed an update from DIPR.

On the fire near Dzükou that has reduced vast forest area to ashes, the chief minister said “various agencies in the state that are dealing with fire-related incidents should work out a proper plan to handle wild forest fires and such plans should include incorporation of both traditional and modern methods”. He added that the departments concerned should seriously think about “having a suitable water body” close to the valley for aiding fire-fighting efforts.

The update also informed that ‘the TPO gave a brief report of the history of the problems in these areas during the meeting and mentioned that traditionally these areas belong to the Tenyimia group of people who were separated by the state boundaries of Nagaland and Manipur’.

The organisation stated that they were “striving very hard to resolve the land disputes in the best interest of everyone through arbitration and the final judgment is in an advanced stage”.

Stating that “the earlier arbitration undertakings among the various groups in the disputed area indicate that all the stakeholders are against destruction of forest-flora and fauna, collection of forest produce, hunting and construction of roads and they are in favour of maintaining traditional boundaries and other rights associated with it”, the TPO ‘requested the government of Nagaland to consider taking appropriate measures only after the organisation delivers its final judgment in the disputed area’.

According to the update, Sapo concurred with TPO’s view and “also felt that while the government of Nagaland and the government of Manipur may continue with their normal governmental correspondences, it may be more advisable to consider carrying out activities in the disputed areas after the judgment of TPO”.

The joint meeting was also attended by Zale Neikha, Advisor for Youth Resources and Sports; Medo Yhokha, Advisor for Higher & Technical and Election; Chief Secretary, DGP, Home Commissioner and other senior officers in the state government.