ZB (N) demands withdrawal of land ownership claims by NSCN (IM) chairman

Dimapur, Sep. 17 (EMN): Zeliangrong Baudi (N) on Wednesday stated that the Zeliangrong people were provoked by the statement made by the NSCN (IM) chairman during the recent consultative meeting with tribal hohos in Dimapur wherein he stated that the present Hebron camp and Intangki forest will be nationalised by the Naga government since it is “No man’s land”.

The organisation, in a press release stated that the open statement of the chairman without trying to reason out the customary land ownership in the Naga society is unacceptable and demanded the withdrawal of ownership claims of the said land by the Naga national political organisations.

In event of failure to withdraw the claims, it said the land owner shall be compelled to sue for legal intervention under pertinent section of laws.

The innocence, simplicity and generosity of the Zeliangrong people must not be taken for granted or taken as ignorant of the inherent rights of the people, it asserted.

“The recent press release appeared in some local paper and print media by MIP GPRN/NSCN on 11th September 2020, wherein it stated that, “Intangki reserve forest is the common property of all Nagas and it should be restored to its original prestine position. It cannot in whatsoever manner be disturbed post solution.” To which the Interlocutor said: “that Intangki belongs to the people of Nagaland and the Government of India have no say in the land and natural resources of the Nagas”. The logic of the statement contradicts to the actual and factual position of the original land owner. It also seen as a blatant distortion of Naga customary laws and its practices. It is also contradictory and violation of Art. 371 (A) on customary laws and land ownership rights,” the statement read.

“We put on record that the Zeliangrong people will not part even an inch of our land without due process of prior consent of the legitimate land owners. Even the present Hebron camp is established under Peren district by obtaining ‘No objection certificates’ from the surrounding Zeliangrong villages. The ancestral traditional land owners of the said land and forest are Beisumpui village of Zeme tribe of the common Zeliangrong family. Every Naga and GOI knows it well. Records of the facts have been proven by documents established for the conservation and declarations of the Forest as Indian National wild life sanctuary, reserved forest and National park,” it stated.

“Problems of encroachments of the land from time to time have been addressed even in the supreme court of India, and is published in local and national papers. No act of laws or any deed of agreement have ever been established with the original land owner and people with the Naga National underground organizations on Intangki to be nationalised. All Nagas know that there is no, “No man land” in their own districts in Nagaland that can be or that has been given to be the common property for all the Nagas of Nagaland.

“Neighbouring villages stand witness to the fact that Beisumpui village is the rightful land owner of Intangki and Government of India took it over by consent and deed made with the local land owner. Therefore, it is pertinent to state that, claiming Intangki as the common property of all the Nagas is a blatant lie. It simply is a deceitful and covetous attempt to exploit the land in the name and pretext of the Naga underground governments. The land and its people of each tribe or community must be respected and ensure justice to all, “it read.

The Indo-Naga political talks have been anticipated to come to a final conclusion. We fully support and appealed to the negotiating parties to arrive at an early solution by taking into confidence of all groups, it added.