NTC urges govt to protect rights of indigenous people

EMN
Dimapur, March 25

The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) urged the state government to protect the inherent rights of indigenous people of Nagaland, their land and properties from external exploitations, and called upon the citizens to take responsibilities to defend basic rights while respecting the rights of others.
The NTC in its executive council meeting held at Bookmarc, Dimapur resolved to urge the government to implement government notification (No. LAW-213/78 dated Kohima, the 30th of September, 1978) in letter and spirit.The council pointed out that Nagaland Village and Tribal Councils Act, 1978 had categorically empowered the Village Council to be the custodian of landed properties vide Section 15, Sub-Section (1)(g) which read “no transfer of immovable properties shall be effected without the consent of the Village Council. Written record of this shall be maintained by the Village Council”.
The NTC urged the respective deputy commissioners of the districts and the village councils to adhere to the law of the land and be accountable for any illegal transfer, exchange, lease, agreement of settlement of any land as per Nagaland Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Act, 1978 and registration of landed properties under the Indian Registration Act, 1908.
“The Nagaland Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Act 1978, which received the assent of the Governor on the 29th of September, 1978 amended the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886 and extended to the whole of Nagaland State to protect and preserve the land that belongs to the indigenous and vulnerable people of the state,” said a statement issued by Media Cell, NTC.
“The Sub-Section (2) of the Act stated “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any law, usage, contract or agreement no person (other than the indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland) shall acquire or posses by transfer, exchange, lease, agreement of settlement of any land in any area or areas constituted into belts or blocks in contravention of the provisions of Sub-Section (1).”
“Sub-Section (3) of the Act stated that “From and after the commencement of Nagaland Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Act, 1978, no document evidencing any transaction for acquisition or possession of any land by way of transfer, exchange, lease, agreement or settlement shall be registered under the Indian Registration Act, 1908 if it appears to the registering authority that the transaction has been effected in contravention of the provisions of Sub-Section (2).”
Stating that under the Acts, no person (other than the indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland) shall become land owner in the State of Nagaland, the NTC asserted, it is paramount to be aware and protect what duly belongs to people provided in the aforementioned provisions.”