IMPHAL, 14 May: Calling for timely intervention of state Government in the Dziiko (Dzuko) Valley encroachment by the neighbouring state of Nagaland, members of Mao Council and Committee for Koziirii & Dziiko Land Boundary Resolution resolved to impose a state wide 24-hours bandh starting from May 22 midnight if the demand for timely intervention of Government is not addressed by May 22.
This was said today by Mao Council General Secretary A Athili during a press meet at Mao Council office Headquarter, Tadubi, Senapati District.
It may also be mentioned that the committee was freshly formed today at the Mao Council office constituting 11 members including N Heni as Convenor, B Neli as co convenor, N Rajendro (President ICHAM) as spokesperson and eight other as its members.
Mao Council Secretary A Athili further said that on April 23, a memorandum had been submitted to the state Chief Minister in the case to look into the matter. It served the deadline of May 7.
The State Government however failed to meet the deadline, and the Mao Council in association with the newly formed committee set May 22 as the next deadline for the State Government to intervene in the ongoing encroaching into Dziiko Valley by the neighbouring state of Nagaland.
He said that Southern Angami People Organisation (SAPO) is leading the encroachment using heavy tools and machineries.
He said that resources like timbers and other trees are being smuggled out without any intervention from the state. He said the encroachment have reached till the Water Pent or Summit of the Barail Range.
Committee Convenor N Heni during the press meet said that Koziirii is traditional land of Mao.
Lamenting the burning of timbers by the SAPO he said that SAPO has even abducted local people to spread fear psychosis among the people of the area.
He said that the people of the State believe the State Government would stand by the people of the state. He continued that the Mao people have the guts to take action against those encroachers but it will only escalate violence disturbing peace and harmony in the area and said that it is the duty of the Government to safeguard the territorial integrity of the state.
He mentioned that road construction encroaching the State has been reported to the State CM but the CM failed to look in to the matter. The road construction is still in continuation which is very disappointing, he said.
If the State Government fails to address the situation by May 22, a strong form of agitation will have to commence, he added.
Information Centre for Hills Area, Manipur (ICHAM) president N Rajendro alias Boi who is also spokesperson of the newly formed committee said that the encroachment from the neighbouring State of Nagaland using heavy tools and machineries shows the involvement of the Nagaland Government.
Denial to acknowledge several memorandums regarding the case submitted to the State CM is regrettable said Boi. He continued that if the State Government still turns a deaf ear to the complaint of the Mao people by May 22, a 24 hour bandh will ensue and the responsibility of any untoward incidents which may occur in the bordering area of Nagaland must be borne by the Government.
He also condemns other CSOs for remaining mute in the regard and appealed to all to cooperate in further movements in the same regard to safeguard the state territory.
Further Boi questioned as to where all the State security forces have disappeared in the hill areas. Are they utilised only for the security of VIPs of the State residing at valley? He asked.