Apropos to the press releases of the Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO) and the Angami Youth Organization (AYO) asking the “Mao citizens residing within the Angami jurisdiction to return to their respective native villages with an ultimatum on or before March 17, 2024, in connection with the long drawn issue of land dispute over the ownership of Dzuko-Ozerii between the two communities, the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), the apex body of Naga students and youths in Manipur, with a deep concern to both the communities, urged upon all concerned to de-escalate the tension and pave ways for resolving the issue in a peaceful manner and do recourse the traditional method of dispute resolution peacefully in the spirit of fraternity”.
The ANSAM, in a release issued to Newmai News Network, stated that Manipur has become the site for violent internecine conflicts affecting the normal livelihood of the entire communities, including the Nagas in the state of Manipur, directly or indirectly.
“Moreover, the period in the months of March, April and May is a time to foster the students preparation for high school examinations, higher secondary examinations, college examinations and other competitive examinations. Considering the various socio-political upheavals of the Nagas and concerning the common goal to bring cohesion, socio-cultural harmony and peaceful co-existence within the Naga family united as one family, we pray and humbly appeal to both the communities to exercise restrain until its peaceful solution is arrived,” the Naga student body made a fervent appeal.
The ANSAM also stated, “With deep concern to the situation of Nagas prevailing in Nagalim, we further appeal to SAPO and AYO to reconsider their decision in good spirit and take back the ultimatum served to the Mao citizens in the spirit of brotherhood so as to prevent any untoward incident within the Naga family”.
The ANSAM also appealed to the Mao Council to initiate necessary processes for resolving the issue in good faith. “Therefore, we humbly appeal to both the communities to restrain and foster peace in the interest of the student community who are preparing for upcoming examinations and in the greater interest of the Nagas at large”, it added.
