55 Mao students airlifted from Nagaland

IMPHAL, Dec 20: Manipur Government today airlifted 55 Mao students who were stranded in Nagaland since the past many days owing to the restriction being imposed on the movement of Mao people in ‘Angami areas’ by the Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) and the Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) since December 15 last.
Notably, the Mao-Imphal Market Coordinating Committee (MIMCC) had submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister N Biren on December 17 urging the State Government to make arrangements for bringing home Mao people stranded in Nagaland and other North East States.
The students have been airlifted to Bir Tikendrajit International Airport from Dimapur this afternoon by a chartered flight arranged by the State Government.
The airlifted students were received by Mao A/C MLA Losii Dikho and volunteers of the Mao Students’ Union at the airport.
Speaking to the media at the airport, MLA Losii Dikho said that the Governments of Manipur and Nagaland as well as many CSOs have been trying to resolve the issue while expressing hope that an amicable solution could be reached between the conflicting groups before Christmas.
When asked about finding a way to bring a permanent solution in connection with the land dispute at the Mao-Nagaland border, he replied that bringing a permanent settlement in this regard takes time and the prevailing situation is making it even tougher.  
He observed that there is the possibility of both the conflicting sides encroaching on the border while informing that a federation of civil body groups from Nagaland had mooted delivering a verdict on the protracted issue.
Losii Dikho reassured that the State’s boundary will not be disrupted or compromised in bringing a settlement to the dispute.
Stating that the people of Mao are facing immense inconveniences after the dispute resurfaced, he said that travelling through Nagaland via the land route connecting Peren district of the same State may be also quite problematic and insecure.
Lauding Chief Minister N Biren for acknowledging the sufferings of the stranded Mao people in Nagaland and airlifting them, the MLA went on to convey that the State Government has also arranged a few buses for transportation of the students who returned to Imphal from the Bir Tikendrajit Airport to Mao.
Meanwhile, Mao Students Union president Marikho O Leriina has also conveyed heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Minister and the State Government for bringing home the stranded students.
Informing that the airlifting of stranded students is being carried out on priority basis, the Mao Students’ Union president added that around 60 people who have their relatives in Nagaland are still eagerly waiting for opportunities to return home to join Christmas.