IMPHAL, July 3: Certain valley based organisations today joined hands with the Mao Women Trade Union Association and youth and students`™ organisations of Mao area to open a market for the Mao villagers here in Imphal.
The market was opened to help the villagers, who have been affected by the recent Dzuko Valley land dispute between Nagaland and Manipur which resulted in the Southern Angami Peoples`™ Organisation launching attacks and assaults on the Mao people.
Two trucks carrying vegetables, fruits and flower plants were bought to Imphal with help from various civil organisations and a temporary market shed opened at Nagamapal so that the vendors from Mao could sell their items.
Speaking to media persons at the temporary market shed, president of the Mao Union, Dr Loli said the people of Mao have been facing a lot of hardship since the incident.
He said people of Mao are not allowed to enter into Nagaland jurisdiction and almost 10 vehicles belonging to the people have already been vandalized.
Shops have been attacked; even students are not spared and not allowed to attend schools in Nagaland, he added.
`Most of the villagers sell vegetable to run their family, however, the Southern Angamis have stop us from everything and we are seriously going through a hard life,`™ he lamented.
He continued, the Southern Angami people supported by the Naga Hoho and other various organisations are continuing to pressure them to withdraw the memorandum on the issue submitted to the government.
The situation is only getting worse by the day, an emotional Dr Loli said.
On being asked as to how much worth of property of the Mao people have been vandalized and destroyed by the Southern Angami since the recent disruption of the dispute, he said it must have crossed one crore rupees.
Dr Loli also expressed happiness over the positive response from the people of the State and valley based civil organisations.
He said the market will continue as more vendors from Mao are expressing desire to sell their products.
The initiative for the market was taken by League of 4 World People Kangleipak, International Peace and Social Association (IPSA), All Club Organisation Association Manipur-Lup (ACOAM-Lup), Kanglei Ima Lup (KIL), Kangleipak Students Association and Chanura lamchingleng, Kangleipak and the vendors from Mao were hosted by United Club, IMC ward no 4, Uripok and KYC Kangjabi Leirak at Nagamapal.
For the love of this world and land,there will be conflict and division even within family and kins. Selfishness and greed is the number one sin. But it is encouraging to see our state communities giving a helping hands towards one another. We rise when we are connected to each other and fall when we leave out others from our life.