Nagaland government has warned the villagers of Mon district that all developmental work will be stopped if they create a law and order situation in the district.
Mon deputy commissioner Thavaseelan K warned villages in the district that all developmental works and both centrally sponsored schemes and state schemes will be stopped indefinitely if any individuals or groups create problems by taking law into their hands which is detrimental to peace and tranquility in the society.
Thavaseelan expressed dismay that many villagers with the active participation of the appointed village heads are found to take law into their hands, leading to loss of property and creation of apprehensions and mistrust in the society.
He cautioned that the village councils and village development boards of the erring villages will stand dissolved immediately.
The warning follows a land dispute between Jaboka and Yannu village over Konhoa area under Tizit sub-division on August 18 resulting in damage to paddy fields, burning of shacks, huts and cutting down of plantation, crops and trees.
A group of around 500 to 600 people from nearby villages reportedly attacked Yannu village on the day and destroyed plantations and field huts.
Tizit sub-divisional administration clamped prohibitory order under Section 144 CrPC in the subdivision from 6am of August 19 until further order.
In a notification, Thavaseelan reminded that the government has appointed gaon burhas, village council chairmen, Village Development Board secretaries and village guards in different villages across the district as the custodial heads of the villages.
He added that they are expected to maintain law and order within their respective village and also preserve the cordial relationship with their neighbouring villages, thereby creating an atmosphere of peaceful coexistence within the district.
“As the custodial heads, they should resolve all issues in a civilized manner or report to the district authorities for amicable solutions on all issues so that peace prevails in the locality,” he said.