By John K Kaping
UKHRUL, Sept 18: The four neighbouring villages of Shirui village have strongly committed to oppose any sign of government’s attempt to create the “Shirui National Park” with the inclusion of any portion of lands from the respective villages.
A press communique jointly signed by village authorities of Mapun, Khangkhui Phungthar/ Khunou, Langdang and Lunghar villages said, the proposed creation of the “Shirui National Park in Ukhrul District is totally against the customary law and interest of the Tangkhul people particularly and against the wishes of the four neighboring villages which is not to be compromised under any circumstances and further steps of creating the Park with the inclusion of any portion of lands out of the four villages would be fought and till the last as the land and forest remain the backbone source of the hill villages and as such any inch of land belonging to the villages cannot be included or encroached for the creation of the National Park in Ukhrul District.
However, the villages do not object or oppose any matter if the propose creation of the “Shirui National Park” is created out of the consent or wish of the Shirui Village in its lands.
The joint statement was signed by AS Wungreingai, headman, Mapun village, As Somatai headman Khangkhui Phungthar, As Ramlak, headman Langdang village and L Gideon secretary of Lunghar village.
It further said that the refusal and stiff opposition letter of memorandum for the matter was submitted to the concern department, Deputy Commissioner Ukhrul and the president of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) for necessary action in public interest failing which any untoward incident arising out of the matter would fixed on the concern Department and authority.