[dropcap]P[/dropcap]ublication of the Inter-District Boundary between Kohima and Dimapur Districts by the State Home department has perhaps inadvertently stirred a hornets’ nest with the Zeliangrong Baudi and Zeme Council Nagaland on the move.
Among Nagas in general, the question of property implies at any rate, buildings and terraced land and plantations. The issues of inheritance, hence ownership, varies from tribe to tribe—variations sometimes to the extreme—but of the same basic theme.
As such, the matter of land is one of the most sensitive issues in the Naga polity and in spite of the onslaught of so-called modernity, advanced education, imitation of more advanced cultures or whatever you name it, the base of a man’s foundation is the amount of land and plantations he owns. From this almost all other aspects follow.Since antiquity the Naga forefathers had evolved a system of survival within the parameters of the Village-States they lived in. Villages were thoroughly fortified as a safeguard from enemies who might be the neighbouring village or any others or even between clans within the village itself.
As per the traditions handed down through the generations, the boundaries between villages were outlined generally by certain rivers/streams, or the skyline/watershed of mountain/hill ranges. This was as far as the Village States were concerned. That there were, and still are, boundaries between individual plots and clan plots goes without saying and it depended to a great extent on the inheritance as bequeathed by the patriarch of the family.
So, to demarcate the boundary lines between especially two Districts or more in today’s context will for sure arouse objections, opposition and perhaps suggestions as well. This is what has happened when the Nagaland Home Department’s General Administration Branch-1 published the report of the R. Ezung Committee on “Inter-District Boundary between Kohima and Dimapur Districts.”
The report has particular reference to the Jalukie Sub-Division of Peren District and Dhansiripar Sub-Division of Dimapur District for views and objections of the public concerned.
Zeme Council Nagaland (ZCN) President, Raitu Elu, has thus clarified that the Zeliangrong land (Peren District) had “inherently inherited demarcated boundary on all sides that cannot be changed at the whims and fancies of any group or individual and that stands true and valid with the protocol records available with AA (Appellate Authority) DC Peren District.”
As such, ZCN also sought clarification as to when nomenclature of river, streams, mountain ranges are well embedded in Zeliangrong area (Peren District), how could they become the boundary between Kohima and Dimapur Districts?
A valid question, no doubt especially when the Zeliangrong Baudi Nagaland and Zeme Council Nagaland had protested and repeatedly raised objections to the State Government but their voice were not taken into account for “reasons beyond our understanding.” They have reminded that not taking into account the opinions of the tribal leaders will sow discord if no concrete action is taken to rectify the anomalies at the earliest and that such sensitive issues should be taken up involving leaders of the apex tribal organisations in future.
The ZCN was rather vociferous describing the report as “illogical and ambiguous”. It said that the Home Department’s notification was a “Big mockery” that has no substance with the existing demarcated boundary of Peren District. It even alleged “highly sinister” design on the issue.
The home Department’s saving grace is that it stressed the demarcation was purely for administrative conveniences and does not do away with the ownership of private/village land which overlaps administrative jurisdiction. It also invited views/objections from interested party/parties within 30 days effective from September 20, 2013.
