Principal Correspondent
Kohima, May 31
Intensifying its agitation Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) has decided to impose ‘total blockade’ from 5 am of Monday.
SAYO officials informed that the third day of the economic blockade also passed off peacefully. SAYO volunteers are manning at Kigwema and Kezi-Kidi junctions which have road links to the Mao area under Senapati district of Manipur.
SAYO Action Committee convener Khisanol Viswentso and member secretary Meyiekul Noswe in a press release said that on learning the economic blockade in Manipur State called by Committee for Koziirii-Dzukou Land Boundary Resolution (CKDLBR) which is to commence from midnight of June 1, SAYO convened an emergency meeting with the units today at Kimipfuphe ground. After thorough deliberation SAYO has decided to impose total blockade on the Mao community within the territory of the Southern Angamis expressing that the Mao Council has dragged other non-Nagas into the issue by constituting CKDLBR which include the Meiteis who are alien to Naga customs.
Reiterating that the Southern Angamis uphold and stand by the Naga traditions and customs in every sphere including traditional land holding systems, SAYO however lamented that the Mao Council encourages and supports the Meitei traditions and customs.
It has also regretted that Mao Council ‘distorted’ the facts, truth and history of Kezoltsa and Dzükou in order to snatch “our (Southern Angami) ancestral properties.”
The SAYO maintained that CKDLBR calling economic blockade from June 1 in Manipur state is an act of extreme provocation, therefore, total blockade on Mao community is the demand of the situation.
Further, SAYO demanded that Mao Council should spell out in clear terms whether ‘our ancestral properties’ namely Kezoltsa and Dzükou are Manipur land or not.
SAYO also expressed that Mao Council should immediately stop any developmental activity and project (road construction) at Kezoltsa, be it funded by private or State or Central Governments.
SAYO also sought that Mao Council should declare before the public whether they respect and honour Naga traditional boundaries.
Above all, SAYO demanded that Mao Council should make public declaration whether they (Mao) are Meiteis or Nagas.
Meanwhile, SAYO has informed that those travelling through the Southern Angami territory during this blockade should possess identity proof in order to avoid any inconvenience.
