Dimapur Naga Students’ Union to file complaint on illegal land deals; warns of public rally if govt. stays silent

DIMAPUR — The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) on Tuesday said it will file a formal complaint over alleged instances of land procurement by non-indigenous individuals without proper documents, and warned that it may organise a public rally if the state government continues to remain silent.

Addressing a press conference in Dimapur, DNSU General Secretary Michael Kath said the union had called the briefing to seek accountability and clarity from the authorities on the matter. He said the concerns centred on the case involving Nirmal Jain and related land issues in Dimapur, which the union believes affect not only residents of the district but Nagas across the state.

Kath said the DNSU has been pursuing the Nirmal Jain case since May and had submitted documents and information to the authorities. A fact-finding committee was later formed by the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur and its report was submitted to the Commissioner of Nagaland. DNSU representatives also met the Chief Secretary in Kohima to follow up on the matter.

Also read: Dimapur Naga Students’ Union demands government action in Nirmal Jain case, warns of protests

According to Kath, the Chief Secretary informed the union that delays had occurred due to the recent pen-down strike. He said the union was disappointed that no official response has been issued even after offices resumed normal functioning. He added that the necessary documents were already before the authorities and questioned the government’s continued silence.

Kath said the union was not seeking confrontation but wanted a clear and transparent statement from the government and action based on the evidence provided.

DNSU Assistant General Secretary Azo Wetsah reiterated that the identity and rights of indigenous people were tied to land and ancestry, and said the Chief Minister’s recent statement that “indigenous identity is non-transferable” aligned with the union’s stand. Referring to the Nirmal Jain case, he said non-indigenous individuals could not legally own land in Nagaland, yet violations continued despite existing laws.

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He said DNSU officials had recently gone to verify land documents at Supply Colony, Army Road, but faced non-cooperation from the land owner. He alleged that those involved had ties to “higher-ups” and warned that continued inaction by the government could force the public to take to the streets.

DNSU President Hinoto P Aomi said the Midland issue remained unresolved and reaffirmed the union’s plan to verify indigenous certificates in Dimapur. He said the ongoing Nirmal Jain case had led the union to fresh findings that three non-Nagas — Vinod Kumar Sharma, late Bajrang Pareek and Girdhari Lal Sharma — had procured land at Supply Colony, Army Road, without indigenous certificates.

Aomi questioned how the individuals had obtained land pattas and called it an act of forgery. He said DNSU summoned those involved for clarification, though only Pareek’s son cooperated. Others allegedly threatened to reopen a DNSU-sealed building, which was later unlocked by police.

Read more: Indigenous Certificate row: DC Dimapur assures DNSU of comprehensive investigation

Maintaining that the union’s actions were meant to protect indigenous rights and ensure accountability, he said that the DNSU was ready to cooperate with law enforcement but questioned why only the union was being scrutinised when other organisations had undertaken similar actions without consequence.

Aomi also alleged that Vinod Kumar Sharma misused his indigenous certificate to obtain the land pattas and said the transfer of ownership through Nirmal Jain required investigation. He said DNSU has handed over the keys of the sealed building to police and will soon lodge a formal complaint. If the government remains unresponsive, he added, the union may hold a public rally.

The student body further urged the government to “act promptly, speak out, and demonstrate that transparency and fairness still matter in Nagaland.”