Mokokchung, July 29 (MTNews): In what can be termed as a restoration of unity, the apex Ao Senden has on Friday revoked its 30-year excommunication order spelled against Changki Ayim Asem Senso Mungdang (CAASM) in 2014.
Ao Senden president Chubawati Longchar and general secretary Imtipokyim said in a press release that on August 3 of 2006, an inter-clan dispute among Changki villagers was brought to the Ao Senden’s office for adjudication, following which the apex body mediated to resolve the dispute as per tenets of Ao customs. However, CAASM did not honour Ao Senden’s mediation and went against the apex body’s ruling. As such, Ao Senden, on October 10, 2014, excommunicated CAASM from the fold of the Ao community for a period of 30 years.
During the intervening period, anükapang (in-laws) of Changki village intervened to peacefully resolve the inter-clan dispute among Changki villagers on May 25, 2022, the press release said.
Following this, CAASM approached Ao Senden with a letter along with proof of reconciliation to reconsider their excommunication status and to accept Changki village back into the fold of Ao community, the press release added. Consequently, the Ao Senden Executive Council called both the parties involved in the inter-clan dispute and, with Changki anükapang in presence as witness, deliberated on the matter.
Ao Senden then decided to absolve CAASM of its past misdeeds and withdrew its order of excommunication imposed on CAASM based on the merit of ‘Changki Village Agreement’ of May 25, 2022. “From this day on, CAASM shall abide by the norms of Ao customs and ethos under Ao Senden,” the press release further said. It went on to say that any breach of tenets of Ao customs and ethos by CAASM shall not be tolerated by Ao Senden.
A pledge was also signed to this effect between Ao Senden and CAASM with Changki anükapang bearing witness.