The Angami Public Organisation (APO) has served an ultimatum to the Mao Council for immediate withdrawal of Manipur State Rifles/Police out- post and all other security apparatuses which are in place at the disputed site of Kezoltsa/Kozirü/Kozin amongst the Mao Council, Southern Angami Public Organisation(SAPO) and the Maram tribe respectively.

In its ultimatum to the Mao Council (MC) on January 20, the APO drew attention to the several hindrances that the MC had deliberately caused to resolve the issue such as: deployment of security forces, deliberately carrying on the developmental activities, changed their narrations and failed to fulfil responsibilities

The APO also reminded of the several efforts of reconcilation initiated to resolve the issue. Despite a judgement being pronounced by the Board of Arbitrators (BOA) for the long unresolved boundary issue among the three communities, it was rejected by both the Mao Council and Southern Angami Public Organisation. According to APO, the judgement was issued with the best efforts and wisdom exercised by the BOA through Tenyimi customary and traditional practices.

The Apex Angami body had also approached all three parties and obtained their consent through “several enduring rounds of talks in order to resolve the decades- old chronic boundary disputes in the most amicable way acceptable and honourable to all because the A.P.O. clearly visualized the horrible and irreparable consequences unless contained on time”.

According to APO, after thoroughly analyzing the prolonged issue in detail, it identified some gaps that the Mao Council had deliberately caused as a stumbling block to resolve the issue. These gaps, as highlighted by APO were:

1. Setting up of Manipur State Rifles/Police outpost and promulgation of 144 Cr.PC at their instance thereby preventing the delegates of TPO and APO from going to the area of actual dispute to resolve the Issue.
2. Violating the status quo as issued by TPO and deliberately carrying on the developmental activities unhindered till date.
3. During several rounds of talks with the Mao Council and their leaders, they didn't appear to show any sign of seriousness over the issue and instead changed their narrations time and again.

4.The Mao Council had failed to fulfil their duties and responsibilities as assigned to them by TPO and also by APO despite their positive responses. On the other hand, the APO exercised the best of its wisdom and influence to the people of SAPO to refrain from taking any extreme measures against the Mao people as they being our own Tenyimi brethren. However, the Mao people seem to be taking the advantage of this goodwill and spirit of brotherhood shown to them.

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“Having waited and wasted many a precious time and energy, we are now unable to further pacify the people of SAPO,” stated the APO. An emergency executive meeting was convened on January 19 at the APO conference hall where it unanimously resolved to issue the ultimatum to the Mao Council.

“You must take full responsibility to withdraw the Manipur Rifles/Police and all its security apparatus stationed at the disputed area on or before the 20^th February 2024 to enable the TPO and APO leaders to go and oversee the complete range of dispute and scope of pronouncing an agreeable and honourable solution thereof,” stated the APO.

The organization also warned the Mao Council that in the event of failure to comply with, the APO will fully extend support to any action taken by the people of the Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO).