Tungjoy, Jessami to Dzuko Valley : No to language of violence
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: June 17 2015 -

Stand off over Dzuko Valley takes ugly turn SAYO volunteers vandalise 7 vehicles on June 15 2015 :: Pix - TSE

Tungjoy, Jessami and now Dzuko Valley. The Government of Nagaland should take note of the disturbing incidents that have erupted along the border areas from time to time.

Manipur and Nagaland are neighbours and there is nothing that one can do to erase this fact.

However what one can do is to take steps to see that the two neighbours exist cordially.

And the first and most important step towards this is to address all outstanding border disputes between the two neighbouring States or rather the people.

What happened to some people from Mao at Nagaland on June 15, where the writ of the Southern Angami people runs large, was not something unexpected if one takes into consideration the hue and cry that was raised earlier.

Manipur has already witnessed a bandh, though this was called off at the nth minute, and there have been numerous instances of flare ups earlier, specially concerning the border disputes at Tungjoy in Senapati district and Jessami at Ukhrul district.

There have been claims and counter-claims with nothing to suggest that anything has been resolved between Manipur and Nagaland.

Obviously there must be some section of people who stand to gain by the simmering tension along the border areas between the two States, or else how can one explain the manner in which these issues have been allowed to stay alive for decades ?

Lack of political will and unwillingness to address the issues at hand.

Two or more people assaulted and numerous vehicles vandalised at Nagaland.

This is the latest report and the things to come was perhaps demonstrated earlier when people from Mao area were told to go back by volunteers who identified themselves as members of Southern Angami People’s Organisation.

This is not a question of who is right and who is wrong.

Rather it is a question of whether it is proper or desirable for anyone to target people travelling in their home turf because of a boundary dispute.

This is where the Government of Nagaland should step in. That things may take a nasty turn was there for all to see when Mao people were asked to turn back earlier.

What steps have the Government of Nagaland taken to instil a sense of confidence and safety amongst the people of Mao when they do have to travel to Nagaland or cross the neighbouring State ?

Moreover what has the Government of Manipur done to defuse the tension ?

Has the Government of Manipur taken up the issue with the Government of Nagaland ?

If not then what are they waiting for ?

On the other hand the people too need to come to the point that it makes absolutely no sense to attack anyone just because they are travelling on their territory.

Civil society organisations in the two States also need to realise that this is not the time for rabble rousing.

The tension must be running high, especially amongst the people living on the border areas.

Sensitive issues, no doubt about it and this is all the more reason why everyone need to treat the issue with sensitivity. Sowing seeds of suspicion and hatred cannot be the answer.

Let the two Governments talk meaningfully and let people on either side reach out and try to come to an understanding.