Mao Council Rejects TPO Verdict on Kozürü Land Dispute
SENAPATI, JULY 20 (MExN): In a significant development, the Mao Council (MC) has rejected the Tenyimi Peoples’ Organisation’s (TPO) July 12th verdict on the land dispute at Kozürü/Kezoltsa/Kazing. The MC asserts that the verdict disregards the fundamental principles of Tenyimi customary laws and traditions.
In its representation dated July 19, addressed to the TPO president and obtained by The Morung Express, the MC referenced the ‘Arbitration Undertaking’ from November 28, 2017. This document mandates that disputes be settled according to Naga customary laws and the traditional practices of the Tenyimi tribe, which the MC claims the TPO failed to uphold.
The MC highlighted a SAPO letter from February 13, 2023, that rejected the December 2022 verdict for ignoring Tenyimi laws. The MC echoed this sentiment, criticizing the TPO’s December 19, 2022 decision for lacking a basis in Naga customary law. Moreover, the latest July 12, 2024 ruling also overlooked the fundamental requirement of oath-taking by the original disputants, namely the MC and SAPO.
The MC drew attention to an oath taken over a century ago by Neni Kopfujü, which established landmarks demarcating the Mao and Viswema lands. They claimed this oath has remained undisputed until recent years when conflicts over Dzüko and Kozürü began.
Alleging that SAPO’s current claims over Mao Dzüko valley and Kozürü extend beyond historically recognized boundaries, the MC emphasized that undermining the Neni Kopfujü oath—a critical component of their heritage and legal practice—is unacceptable. They reaffirmed their readiness to defend the oath’s validity through traditional means.
The MC also criticized the July 12 judgment’s finality clause, arguing it contradicts Tenyimi customs, which typically involve oath-taking as a dispute resolution method when parties are dissatisfied.
In conclusion, the MC underscored the importance of adhering to traditional customs and called for a review of the TPO’s verdict, emphasizing the need to respect Naga (Tenyimi) customary laws and practices.
Original Story https://www.morungexpress.com/mao-council-rejects-tpo-presidential-council-verdict
Category : Nagaland
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