The Mao Council has accepted the judgement of the Tenyimi Peoples’ Organisation Presidential Council on the Kezoltsa/Koziirii/Kazing land (forest) dispute which was passed on 12th July 2024.
Informing the President of TPO of the affirmative decision, the Council stated that it was humbled by the visits of the Lhisemia (L) Khel of Kohima Village and the Angami Public Organisation (APO) on 30th August 2024 and 6th September 2024 respectively, where both emphasised on the unity of the Tenyimi family. “We are much encouraged and uplifted by their messages of Tenyimi fraternity and unity,” the Moa Council President, N Athikho Joseph stated.
Further, it acknowledged the TPO Presidential Council for granting the request for extension of time up to 25th of September 2024 to enable them “to adequately address our internal situation”. The Mao Council informed that it had convened a Council Assembly on the 23rd September 2024 for reconsideration of the Mao Council’s stance of non-acceptance of the TPO Presidential Council Judgement & Order and approved the acceptance.
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The TPO Presidential Council’s 12th July 2024 judgement had earmarked areas for the three parties – the Mao Council, the Maram Khullen and the Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) – based on the customs and traditions of Tenyimi people.
For the Mao Council, the TPO had allocated the land from the first dry nallah behind the police barrack, coming down from Khunhyo range and joining Kezoltsa/Koziirii/Kazing river at the top and goes down following Kezoltsa/Koziirii/Kazing river and met Makil/Ragung stream.
For the Maram Khullen, it had allocated the land from Tingpi Karyi/Deyo-Ekhro stream joining Kezoltsa/Koziirii/Kazing river and Makil/Ragung Karyi stream and below.
For SAPO, TPO had assigned the remaining of the disputed area.
The Tenyimi Peoples’ Organisation also prohibited any activity such as collection of forest produces, fishing and hunting and vehicular road connectivity inside the Kezoltsa/Koziirii/Kazing area.
Further, any existing vehicular road leading to the area would be cut off and the structures set up by the Manipur Police would be removed by TPO, it had said.
The judgement also called for a committee to be constituted with members from the three parties to look after the area for the protection and preservation of the forest and its natural resources for promoting eco-biodiversity and to use as community heritage.
