DC Chümoukedima directs Diezephe and Tsithrongse to maintain status quo

February 13, 2024 21 Views No Comment

• Land dispute case pending in court
• Parties interpreted court order differently

Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | February 13

Two days after the resurfacing of an old land dispute between Diezephe and Tsithrongse villages, the Deputy Commissioner, Chümoukedima, on February 12 issued directive to the disputing parties to maintain status quo, pending court settlement, and assurance of not escalating the issue further.

The directive was issued at a meeting of the village councils of the disputing villages, representatives of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Union Dimapur and Tenyimia Union Dimapur, which was convened by the DC on Monday in the DC’s office.

Shivam told the media after the meeting that the dispute resurfaced as the two parties were interpreting the orders issued by the court their own way. “In today’s meeting, we realised that the people were having their own perception about what Supreme Court has said and based on this misinformation, passions rose resulting in the unfortunate Saturday incident,” he said.

He said that “acrimony was palpable” during the meeting but reason and sense prevailed at the end. This, according to Shivam, occurred as the legal position of the matter was clarified. “We also appealed to the good sense of both the villages and the tribal hoho leaders present,” he added.

The two villages, in the Chümoukedima district, are located about 15 km southwest of Dimapur, right along the two sides of the PWD road that connects Dimapur with the dysfunctional Ganeshnagar Special Economic Zone.

The disputed area was said to be about two “buras.” The case goes back to 1990s and is sub-judice. In 2009, the Supreme Court set aside the ruling of the High Court and directed the latter to take up the matter afresh, Shivam said.

“They should know that if there is any grievance, there is a way there is a mechanism to put forward. Going for vandalism is not a way,” he added.

Gunfire was also reported to have occurred during the vandalism. On this, Shivam said that the police have been directed to look into the matter.

While stating that the district administration is prepapred for further eventualitie, he said that the tribal hohos have assured of not escalating the issue. Based on the assurances, he expressed hope that no untoward incident would happen.

He termed Chümoukedima as the land of opportunity and engine of growth for Nagaland. “For that to happen, the first thing is that peace should prevail,” he said

There will be differences of opinion and this should be addressed and should be solved in a civilised manner. “Violence is not the way,” he added.

Meanwhile, he informed that after Monday’s meeting, the tribal hohos will sit with the two villages, followed by a seating of the two villages.