Kohima: The Presidential Council of the Tenyimi People’s Organisation (TPO) has delivered a landmark verdict on the nearly four-decade-old traditional land dispute in the Kezoltsa/Kozürü/Kazing area along the Nagaland-Manipur border.
The TPO judgment aimed to settle the long-standing conflict between the Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) from Nagaland, the Mao Council and the Maram Khullen village in Manipur. The TPO is the apex tribal body of 10 Tenyimi tribes from Nagaland and Manipur.
As EastMojo reported earlier, tension between the Naga communities along the inter-state border first began in February 1985, when a survey team from Manipur visited the Dzükou area. The Southern Angamis observed this move as a “calculated trespass” into the Dzükou area sent by the Manipur government.
In the present case, as per the judgement, all three parties claimed that Kezoltsa/ Kozürü/Kazing belong to them traditionally. The claim of the parties were based on old story handed down or been told to the present generation by their ancestors.
“Under such circumstances, their statements cannot be considered as infallible in the absence of supporting documents. None of the contesting parties could produce any authenticated document(s) to prove the boundary of their claims except what has been mentioned in the position papers. However, all the contesting parties traced their origin to Makhel and they all admitted and agreed that at one point of time they lived in Makhel and migrated to their present settlement,. Hence, it may be correct to state that in the past, their forefathers could have common immovable properties,” a section of the order read.
The dispute had been under arbitration by the Tenyimi Central Union (now TPO) from 2000 to 2014 without reaching a conclusion. In 2015, the TPO appointed arbitrators from its 10 constituent units to address the issue. Over 30 sittings were held from 2016 to June 2022. The three parties involved agreed in 2017 to resolve the dispute according to Naga Customary Law and committed to abide by the decision of the Board of Arbitrators (BOA).
A demarcation was made for the three parties in conflict as caretakers of the respective areas. For the Mao Council, the area from the first dry nallah behind the police barrack, coming down from Khunhyo range and joining Kezol / Kozüru/ Kazing river at the top and goes down following Kezol / Kozürü/ Kazing river and met Makil / Ragung stream was earmarked for Mao Council as caretaker. (area marked in yellow).
For the Maram Khullen, the area from Tingpi Karyi / Deyo-Ekhro stream joining Kezol / Kozürü / Kazing river and Makil / Ragung Karyi stream and below was earmarked for the Maram Khullen village as caretaker. (area marked in red).
The remaining disputed area was earmarked for the SAPO as caretaker (area marked in green).
As per the judgement, the Arbitration Undertaking signed by the three parties on November 28, 2017, shall be adhered to and complied with by all the parties.
Key points also included the reservation of the forest and its resources from exploitation for 50 years, prohibition of vehicular roads and removal of existing police barracks, formation of a Forest Committee with representatives from all parties for eco-biodiversity promotion, free access passage (footpath) from Tenyimi Southern Naga side to Dzükou valley, clarification that Dzükou valley’s inclusion does not imply ownership by any particular community or village.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
It also stated that the collection of forest produces, fishing and hunting in Kezoltsa/Kozürü/Kazing remains prohibited, semi pucca and iron structure barracks of the Manipur police shall be removed by the TPO, and that this judgement was based on customs and traditions of Tenyimi people, and the state political boundary will not be affected. The state political boundary shall remain as it is.
It also ruled that the judgement of the TPO Presidential Council shall be final and binding on all the parties. The TPO warned that if any party refuses to accept and comply with this judgement, that particular party shall be expelled and cease to be a member of TPO and the remaining parties shall stand united on all issues against that party.
Also Read | Brothers divided: Why Naga tribes are locking horns at the Nagaland-Manipur border