In a significant development, landowners in Mokokchung have indefinitely shut down the District Youth Resources & Sports Office following the expiration of a twenty-day ultimatum issued to the department. The shutdown stems from the appointment of a non-landowner to the position of MTS/Night Chowkidar, which the landowners argue violates an agreement signed between the Government and the landowners in 1993.
The agreement, according to the landowners, explicitly states that all Grade IV positions in departments located on their land must be offered to the landowners. The clause specifically mentions that in case of an interview process for such posts, the candidates must be exclusively from the landowner community.
The landowners have expressed strong dissatisfaction, claiming that their demands were ignored by the department. “The complete disregard for our rights and the violation of the 1993 agreement has forced us to shut down the office indefinitely until our demands are fully met and the integrity of the agreement is restored,” said a representative of the landowners.
The issue began when a position for MTS/Night Chowkidar became vacant, and a landowner applied for the role. However, despite raising concerns with the department and formally requesting that only landowners be considered for the post, the appointment was given to a non-landowner.
In a letter dated August 19, 2024, the landowners informed the Director of Youth Resources and Sports about the violation, stressing that the appointed candidate was not a landowner. With no response from the department, the landowners submitted another representation on September 19, 2024, demanding the revocation of the appointment. The letter warned that failure to act would lead to “appropriate steps” being taken by the landowners.
The situation became tense when the landowners issued an ultimatum on October 14, 2024, demanding that the department revoke the appointment by November 4. With no response from the government or department, the landowners proceeded with the indefinite shutdown of the District Youth Resources & Sports Office.
The landowners have made it clear that should the department fail to respond positively to their demands, their next course of action will be to shut down the entire Imkongmeren Sports Complex area, which is also located on their land.
“We stand by the agreement made in 1993. If the government fails to honor it, the agreement will be considered null and void, and the land will be transferred back to the landowners,” the landowners added.
The Department of Youth Resources and Sports has yet to issue an official response to the ongoing shutdown.
