Mao Council approach Manipur CM to withdraw security from disputed area

February 11, 2024 25 Views No Comment

Morung Express news
Kohima | February 11

Amid the deadline of the ultimatum issued by Angami Public Organization (APO) on January 20 to Mao Council to take full responsibility in withdrawing the Manipur Rifles/police and all its security apparatus stationed at the disputed site of Kezoltsa/Kozürü/Kazing on or before February 20, the Mao Council and its units have approached the Manipur government.

The APO was informed about it on Saturday through a letter informing that the Mao Council has submitted a joint representation to the Government of Manipur and the same has been received by the Chief Minister’s office on February 8.

The Mao council said it met the Chief Minister of Manipur N Biren Singh and deliberated on the issue on the same day. “During the meeting in which the representation was submitted, the Chief Minister responded by stating that the police force/government property has been set up for the protection of the state boundary. But, as requested, the matter will be looked into,” the letter informing the APO said.

The letter further stated that in addition, “for the noble purpose of finding a resolution to the land dispute amongst kindred tribes as per customary law and practices, the CM assured of the state government’s cooperation including lifting of the 144 CrPC under promulgation in the area.”

It further said that the Manipur CM assured that he will instruct the Senapati District Administration or Superintendent of Police to contact their counterparts in Nagaland to facilitate smooth conduct of the survey/visit to the dispute area by the APO.

The joint representation signed by the Mao Council, Mao Naga Women Welfare Association and Mao Naga Students addressed to the Chief Minister of Manipur withgcopies to the Governor of Manipur and Senapati MLAs, asked the Manipur government to withdraw Manipur Rifles/police and all its security apparatus stationed at Kozürü/Kezoltsa and Dzükou area.

The representation highlighted that “the verdict given by the Tenyimi Public Organisation (TPO) on the captioned land dispute was not accepted by both MC & SAPO. However in pursuit for resolution of the above dispute the APO has offered its good office as a mediator, which has been welcomed by the Mao Council.”

It said that accordingly, the organizations met on two occasions with the most recent meeting on April 28, 2023, where the Mao Council was asked to formally request the Government of Manipur for withdrawal of Manipur security personnel posted in the dispute area. “However, before we could submit the request to the GoM, the ethnic clash broke out in Manipur state,” the representation said.

The joint representation, in view of the above has asked the Chief Minister to issue necessary order for withdrawal of the Manipur Security forces/security apparatus in the said area “to enable smooth conduct of visit of the area by the APO and the TPO officials and thereby facilitate the resolution of the dispute and the restoration of relationship between the disputing parties.”