Song Song Village Authority rejects Viswema’s claim over Mt. Esii, escalating a dispute over ancestral ownership and jurisdiction
DIMAPUR — The Song Song Village Authority (SSVA) has rejected a proposal from the Viswema Village Council (VVC) for a face-to-face meeting over competing claims to Mt. Esii.
In a press release issued on Thursday, the SSVA stated that it had taken note of a July 21 circular circulated on social media claiming that Mt. Esii falls under the jurisdiction of Viswema village in Kohima district.
The SSVA reiterated its position that Mt. Esii is part of the ancestral domain of Song Song village and Ememai in Manipur, asserting that the claim is supported by customary law, oral history and traditional heritage.
The VVC, in a letter dated August 18 and addressed to the SSVA, reportedly maintained that Mt. Esii had been in its possession “since time immemorial” and that it was in its possession even before Song Song village was established.
Also read: Song Song village stands firm on ancestral claim to ‘Mt. Esii’
The VVC also invited the SSVA for a “friendly face-to-face discussion” at Viswema on August 29 for clarification on the matter.
The SSVA, however, said it saw no scope for a fruitful outcome from such a meeting, maintaining that ownership of Mt. Esii had never previously been disputed or questioned by any tribe or entity.
The village authority added that it was issuing the latest clarification to reiterate its position that Mt. Esii belongs to Song Song village and Ememai and would remain so.