Kohima: The Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) in a press release on Monday said it is lifting the restriction imposed on Mao Community within its jurisdiction, with effect from March 21, following the advice given by its parent body, the Angami Public Organisation (APO).
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SAPO said that the decision to lift the restriction was taken during an “APO Extra-ordinary Meeting” held on March 17 with its executive members, presidents of all frontal organisations, advisory board members and intellectuals.
After over three months of restrictions against the Mao community in Manipur bordering Nagaland state, the “Angami Public Organisation resolved to take over the contentious SAPO matter at hand,” the press statement said.
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SAPO while addressing the reason behind imposing restrictions on the Mao community, within its jurisdiction, explained that it was to “protest the unfair occupation of Manipur government’s Armed Forces and imposing CrPC 144 within the heart of Kezoltsa which is currently in dispute, with the deliberate intention to construct roads and carry out other development activities, slyly.”
It further said that the restriction on Mao community was imposed from midnight of December 15, 2022 till March 20, 2023.
“The interference of Manipur Government, conniving with Mao Council, was reacted in distaste as traditional lands straddle towards each other’s arbitrarily drawn political boundaries,” SAPO maintained.
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Furthermore, it said on record, that SAPO never objected to Manipur Government holding its Cherry Blossom Festival, establishment of a Manipur Government School or other Manipur Government funded projects and developments carried out at Okhro Ikhro which traditionally belongs to Maos, though technically is in Nagaland.
“The magnanimity of Government of Nagaland is also appreciated as evident from awarding 16 Nagaland Government jobs to Mao traditional landowners at T. B. Hospital Khuzama, Nagaland, respecting traditional landowners, and other privileges extended to the community on the basis of brotherhood, inspite of Article 371(A) strictures. It looks forward to resolving the existing land dispute traditionally. SAPO functionaries also met with the Chief Minister of Nagaland, and are grateful for his concern in the issue. SAPO reiterates that redrawing political boundary of Nagaland or Manipur is not in its agenda,” said SAPO.
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