Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 28 (EMN): The Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) has appealed to the state government to look into the issues confronting the southern Angami people in the form of inter-state border disputes and deplorable National Highway along their region.
SAPO president, Kevipodi Sophie, alleged that the Manipur government, under the patronage of Moa Council, has been actively conducting activities within the disputed areas called ‘Kezoltsa’ by violating the undertakings taken by three communities - Maram, Moa and southern Angami.
Sophie informed that SAPO had taken up the matter with the government of Nagaland and Manipur chief minister on a few occasions.
He made the statement in the presence of TR Zeliang, chairman of UDA, and a host of advisors during the inauguration of Rhododendron Park at Jakhama village on Monday.
The SAPO president said every year, the Manipur government has been organising Cherry Blossom festival between TB Hospital, Khuzama, and Moa Gate. Sophie said that they never interfered in the affairs of Manipur government at any point of time.
"The state boundary demarcation may lie under the state government of Manipur but the land belongs to us," Sophie claimed.
Stating that the Manipur government cannot claim ownership through an arbitrarily drawn inter-state boundary, he said, "At all cost, we will not surrender our forefathers' land to the other communities, whoever may be part of this controversial issue."
He appealed the Government of Nagaland to brief its Manipur counterpart about the traditional boundary.
"Until the case is resolved, the Manipur government should be asked to stop all activities within the so-called disputed area. Unless it is resolved, one day or the other, the problem will escalate and by the time any action is taken by the southern Angami people, it will be too late to avert the situation," he cautioned.
Meanwhile, Sophie stated that they were assured that a four-lane road would come up along the southern Angami region, which had been approved by the Government of India earlier.
However, he claimed that they were later told that instead of the four-lane, two-lane road was approved. "In reality, even the two-lane road was only on paper which could not be materialised," he said.
Affirming that National Highway - 39 is one of the oldest national highways in Nagaland and as per the Government of India Act East Policy, the highway is supposed to connect the Asian countries such as Myanmar, Indonesia, etc.
He maintained that today the national highway which runs along their region has been neglected and for which the southern Angami people feel they have been "sidelined."
Sophie appealed to the leaders of the state to pursue the matter with the Government of India so that the "desires and aspirations of the people are fulfilled."