CPO demands derecognition of village, review of council status and enforcement of historical administrative orders
The Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) on Friday intensified pressure on the Nagaland Government over the longstanding Maova village dispute by reiterating an eight-point charter of demands following a peace rally held at Jharnapani (New Medziphema).
In a memorandum addressed to the Chief Secretary through the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Medziphema, the organisation called on the government to take immediate steps to enforce historical administrative orders relating to the dispute and sought action against Maova Village for what it alleged were repeated violations of official directives.
Stating that the demands had earlier been submitted jointly by the CPO and the Chakhroma Youth Organisation (CYO), the organisation urged the government to implement recommendations and orders issued by successive Extra Assistant Commissioners (EACs) of Medziphema between 1979 and 1980, as well as an order issued by the then Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Medziphema, in 2001.
The CPO also demanded that Maova Village be directed to comply with what it described as historical government decrees, including the payment of a nominal token tax in recognition of the traditional land ownership of Tsüüma Village. It further called for the enforcement of a previous ultimatum issued by the then Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur directing the village to pay annual tax to Tsüüma Village.
Among its major demands, the organisation sought an immediate review of the status of the Maova Village Council, alleging repeated violations of administrative orders, and called for the immediate derecognition of Maova Village for allegedly failing to acknowledge the traditional land ownership of the Chakhroma people and Tsüüma Village.
The memorandum further urged the government to terminate Seiboi Changsang from the post of Head GB of Maova Village, contending that hereditary chieftainship finds no provision under the Nagaland Village and Area Councils Act, 1978. It also sought the suspension of the issuance of birth certificates, permanent residential certificates, indigenous inhabitant certificates and other government documents until such documents are issued strictly on the basis of the 1963 electoral roll.
The CPO also appealed to law enforcement agencies to ensure that state protection does not undermine indigenous customary rights and sought the execution of the expulsion of three individuals as ordered by the Chakhroma Youth Organisation under Angami customary law and practices.
The memorandum was signed by CPO president Zhato Kimho and vice-president Sebastian Zumvü.
No response from the state government or representatives of Maova Village was available at the time of filing this report.
