CPO seeks Nagaland government action in Maova dispute, alleging customary law violations, defiance of orders and escalating tensions
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DIMAPUR — Citing repeated violations of customary law and administrative orders, the Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) has urged Nagaland government to step in immediately and resolve the Maova village issue even as it reaffirmed its banishment order against three village leaders.
In a detailed representation to the chief secretary, the CPO outlined a long-running dispute involving alleged restrictions on property development, non-compliance with traditional tax obligations and defiance of court and administrative directives.
The organisation claimed it had received complaints over the years that the Maova Village Council prevented landowners from developing their properties and allowed illegal structures, despite instructions from the administration and a court ruling prohibiting such restrictions.
The CPO also referred to a February 13 incident, alleging that its leaders were attacked during a visit to the village for talks, which led to a scuffle injuring an EAC and a police personnel, and causing property damage.
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Tracing the dispute’s roots, the CPO stated that Maova village was historically settled under Angami customary arrangements as a tenant village and is required to pay a nominal annual token tax recognising traditional land ownership.
It alleged that the village has consistently refused to comply with this obligation despite past administrative orders.
The organisation further claimed that while other villages under its jurisdiction continue to honour such customary practices, Maova’s refusal, coupled with additional demands over land, has aggravated tensions.
Blaming the administration for failing to enforce its own orders, the CPO stated that the situation has been treated as a law-and-order issue rather than a deeper customary and legal dispute, leading to escalation.
While asserting that it has sought dialogue on multiple occasions, the CPO alleged non-cooperation from Maova village leaders and maintained that its actions were in line with Angami customary law.
The organisation urged the state government to enforce existing orders, review the status of the Maova Village Council for alleged violations of the Nagaland Village and Area Councils Act, and ensure that state protection does not undermine indigenous customary rights.
Reiterating its stand, the CPO asserted that it would uphold its banishment order against three village leaders of Maova (Sutminlal Vaiphei, Chairman; Seiboi Changsang, Head GB; and Paoboi Changsang, Ex-Chairman), even as it called for the preservation of traditional practices and resolution of the dispute within the framework of customary and legal provisions.
“We cannot allow a situation where a tenant village uses state machinery to overthrow the traditional authority of the landowner,” it stated.