IMPHAL, March 16: MLA Dekho Mao has drawn the attention of the State Government saying that the Angami people of Nagaland are forcibly claiming Dzuko and Kojirii areas as their own land.
The MLA urged the State Government to take up appropriate measures regarding the issue raising the matter in a calling attention motion.
Replying to the MLA, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam told the House that the Superintendent of Police, Senapati Distinct had visited the disputed land area to prevent any communal riots.
He further said that the Chief Secretary of Nagaland has also been requested to look into the matter personally to maintain peace and tranquillity in the disputed area as the situation is tense.
He informed the House that necessary actions have been taken up in order to bring early settlement on the issue.
As per police report, the situation is still tense between the people of Mao and the southern Angami Public Organisation of Nagaland in the border area consequent upon the land encroachment at Kojirii and Dzuko area of Manipur.
As report, APO claimed Kojirii area as theirs and they are not allowing cultivation by Mao villagers.
Though the area lies inside the boundary of Manipur, the Senapati administration has reported the government on February 28, 2015 that a team led by sub-divisional officer of Mao Maram TD block along with SDPO Mao and Mao Student Union, representatives of Mao Council together visited the area on November 22, 2014 to study the encroachment at Dzuko areas within the boundary of Manipur.
A road has been constructed to the valley by the southern Angami people, the report said.
As per findings, the encroachment are in two separate places.
During the visit, the team saw some volunteers armed with Ak 47 rifles.
The team found many plants and trees cutted down by the Angamis people for construction of the road.
Further the report by Mao people said this is not the first time such incidents have happened in the area, and the APO had claimed the area several times.
A recent meeting between Zenani People Organisation and the people of Kehou Khaju village on August 24, 2014 at Hotel Japhu Kohima resolved the dispute land belongs to Southern Angami Organisation and Mao Council jointly.
The Southern Angami Organisation people however withdrew from the case later, the report said.
About two thirds of Dzuko valley which is about 17 square km belongs to Manipur and one third belong to Angami people as per this decision.
But if the claim of SAPO is accepted the whole area of about 55 square Kmwould automatically go to the Angami people.
However, the board line which marks the boundary of is the Isaphi River, which is currently tapped by Angami people reducing the flow of water toward Manipur, the report said.