SAPO to ban Maos from entering its areas

Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO) on Friday announced its decision to ban Mao citizens from entering the Southern Angami areas with effect from December l5, 2022 over the “act of illegal aggression” by the Mao Council and Manipur government pertaining to land dispute at Kezoltsa.
In a press release, SAPO president Kevipodi Sophie and general secretary Swelul Pucho said that the decision was unanimously taken at its general body meeting (GBM) held at SAPO Hall Hq, Kohima, on December 7, 2022. SAPO said the GBM deliberated on various issues especially pertaining to Kezoltsa and the Tenyimi People’s Organization (TPO0 verdict, which had been long pending before the Court of Arbitration (CoA).
SAPO pointed out that tribal land and its resources belonged to the people and not to the government. It stated that every traditional land of the Nagas has its “clear-cut demarcated traditional boundary criss-crossing the arbitrarily created political boundary within each other’s State.”
However, SAPO said some differences arose between Mao-Maram people of Manipur state and Southern Angami people of Nagaland State over the traditional land holding within Kezoltsa, which became a contentious matter in the TPO.
It said that the Board of Arbitration of Tenyimi People’s Court in 2016 had persuaded both the parties to resolve their differences amicably and it was mutually agreed to maintain and respect the ownership by maintaining status quo, which had been in practice since time immemorial.
SAPO said that thereafter, in good faith and trust, the contested areas were handed over by the parties to TPO and its Board of Arbitration for properly adjudicating the matter of dispute. However, SAPO said that during the pendency of the case in TPO Court, “an act of undesirable aggression” was escalated by Mao Council with the help of Manipur government by deploying the Manipur armed personnel, issuing 144 Cr.PC and forcefully constructing illegal roads, houses, electrification, and organizing unlawful activities.
SAPO claimed that rest house of Southern Angami people had been demolished and an “illegal alternative route” to Dzukou had been constructed. It said that such act was “direct insult, humiliation, and a challenge” to Board of Arbitration of TPO Court and the Southern Angami People in particular, as those areas in particular fell within TPO custodian zone.
“This act of illegal aggression by the Mao Council and Manipur Government prohibiting the TPO and its judiciary board to resolve the matter in a conducive atmosphere is deeply regretted,” SAPO stated.
SAPO has, therefore, called upon the Mao Council and Manipur government to immediately cease all activities within the disputed land.
Calling for reaffirming the arbitration undertaken, SAPO said it would not tolerate such unwanted acts committed by the Mao Council and playing double standard.
Further, SAPO urged Mao citizens to immediately stop aggravating the situation with the help of the Manipur government “as our patience have waned thin.”
SAPO stated that since both the disputing parties were traditionally brothers, it would be “unfortunate” to allow “any grave consequences” to the situation causing bitterness within the brotherhood.
SAPO claimed that since the matter was mutually agreed to be settled in the Court of TPO, it was “sacrilegious” that Mao Council sought the Manipur government to “exercise aggression on its own brotherhood” in total disregard of its parent organization (TPO) and violating the arbitration undertaking.
SAPO said that “undesirable activities” carried out by Mao people has compelled Southern Angamis to take precautionary measure as “any eventuality and undesirable incident” could be anticipated in future.
Therefore, SAPO said the public of the Southern Angami “unanimously decided to firmly restrict / prohibit the Mao citizen to travel/enter in the Southern Angami areas with effect from l5th December 2022 until the pendency of the case and misunderstanding is resolved by our Hon’ble Board of Arbitrator (TPO) and this directive is issued for your security and well-being.”
SAPO has cautioned that any untoward incident as a consequence of the violation of its directive would “be understood as an act of your own volition” and Southern Angami people would not be held responsible.
SAPO further re-affirmed its support to TPO and Board of Arbitration to resolve the issues and expedite the matter in the principal of natural justice. It expressed confidence that TPO would judiciously exercise their wisdom.