Mao-Southern Angami land dispute Let the Govts of Manipur, Nagaland talk : Senior citizens

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 26 : The land dispute between the Mao and Southern Angami should be solved through dialogue between the Manipur Government and the Nagaland Government. If required, the Central Government may mediate and oversee the dialogue, said the Senior Citizens for Society, Manipur (SCSM).
Speaking to the media at his house at Loklaobung, Imphal today, SCSM general secretary and senior Advocate Khaidem Mani said a general body meeting of the senior citizens was held at Singjamei Chongtham Leikai and yesterday and it concluded that the Manipur Government and the Nagaland Government should engage in a meaningful dialogue to solve the land dispute in the border region. The SCSM will be pressing the State Government to begin the dialogue, he said.
The present situation at the Mao border area is serious and timely intervention of the State Government is required. Without the intervention of the Government, many unwanted incidents may happen. The SCSM may also take a legal approach in the matter, he said.
He also informed that the general body meeting of the SCSM also discussed the Government’s War on Drugs campaign and acknowledged the efforts taken in this regard. While the SCSM appreciates the Chief Minister N Biren Singh led Government for its campaign against drugs, the senior citizens feel that laws related to drugs need amendments.
The ND&PS Act has certain procedural defects that can be tweaked to make it more simple. Also, the provisions of punishment under the Act can be made stricter, he said.
Further, the State Government may recruit and engage unemployed youths as warriors or volunteers in its War on Drugs campaign to help and assist the police and other law enforcement agencies.
The Government should also maintain transparency while holding recruitments for its various Departments. Recruitments of Grade C and Grade D employees should be done under the newly instituted Staff Selection Commission after appointing its Chairman and Members. The Departments shouldn’t hold recruitments on a piecemeal basis, he said.
Khaidem Mani said the meeting of the SCSM yesterday also condoled the 9 victims of the December 21 Noney bus accident. The members observed a 2-minute silence and also prayed for speedy recovery of the injured.
The SCSM members also condoled and remembered its former president Laishram Lalit, former general secretary Professor L Sadananda, members, H Yaima and Dr Jodhachandra Sanasam.
The meeting also elected new executive members for the term 2022-2025. Nepram Bihari was elected as president with retired Assistant Professor Md Allimuddin and Khaidem Mani as vice-president and general secretary respectively.
Former Minister Dr M Nara is the new coordinator while retired Col K Achouba and former MLA RK Anand are given the charge of secretary with Salama Yaima as treasurer.
Socio political analyst Potsangbam Sonamani, former Law Secretary A Sukumar and Dr Badaruddin have been elected as executive members.
In addition to the existing members, the general body meeting also proposed the executive committee for appointment of one vice president (hills) and four executive members.
Khaidem Mani said the Senior Citizens for Society, Manipur (SCSM) was established in 2008 and at present it has about 511 members. It has branches at Wangoi, Lilong Chajing and Bishnupur.