Dimapur, August 10 (MExN): The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has expressed deep concern and disappointment over the complete lack of visible progress in the investigation against businessman Nirmal Jain, “despite substantial documentary evidence being in the public domain.”
The DNSU noted that while Jain’s Indigenous Certificate has been cancelled after it was found to have been fraudulently obtained, the larger issue remains unresolved, as the lands allegedly acquired through the use of that fraudulent certificate have neither been seized nor subjected to any visible legal scrutiny.
“There has also been no public indication that the alleged benami land transactions or the wider network behind the illegal land business are being thoroughly investigated. This raises serious questions about the pace and effectiveness of the investigation,” the union in a press statement.
It pointed out that more than two months have passed since the First Information Report (FIR) was lodged, yet no charge sheet has been filed, no public update has been issued, and no visible progress has been made by the investigating authorities. “Such prolonged silence is deeply disturbing and only erodes public confidence in the rule of law,” it added.
The allegations against Nirmal Jain, the DNSU asserted, are not based on rumours or speculation, as documents and evidence relating to alleged forgery, fraud, criminal conspiracy, cheating, and the illegal procurement and use of government documents to facilitate unlawful land transactions have already entered the public domain.
The prolonged delay, the student body said, has inevitably created a public perception that valuable time is being lost while the accused is given an opportunity to shield himself from the consequences of the law. “Whether justified or not, such perceptions seriously undermine public confidence in our institutions,” it stated.
The DNSU claimed it has consistently faced immense pressure and repeated attempts to silence its movement, and alleged that what is even more alarming is the confidence with which Nirmal Jain is continuing his land dealings, seemingly without fear of legal consequences.
“It is painful to witness fellow Nagas supporting an individual accused of exploiting the very lands that belong to our people, our children and future generations. Some among our own people have chosen to stand with money instead of truth,” the union said, making a sincere appeal to every citizen not to become partners in the destruction of the community's future by supporting individuals accused of exploiting land and constitutional protections.
The DNSU clarified that its movement has never targeted any individual, politician, bureaucrat, police officer, political party, business community, civil society organisation, NGO, union, faction or community, and that it has only raised genuine issues concerning the protection of Naga land, Indigenous rights and the proper implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP).
“Corruption in education, healthcare, development and business may continue to emerge as societies evolve. However, issues concerning Indigenous identity, land ownership and the effective implementation of the Inner Line Permit are existential issues. Failing to take action at the right time may put our future in grave danger. Once our lands are lost, we will gradually lose not only our natural resources, but also our culture, customs, traditions, language and ultimately our identity as a people,” it warned.
The union posed a series of questions for citizens to reflect upon, asking what future awaits children if ancestral lands are steadily transferred into the hands of outsiders, what value education holds if children have no land to inherit, and what meaning the rule of law carries if it cannot protect the very land it was meant to safeguard.
It reminded the authorities that this is not the first instance where public confidence has been shaken, recalling that during the previous incident involving Girdharlal Sharma and Sanjay Sharma, the DNSU faced widespread criticism for allegedly taking the law into its own hands after authorities failed to act, yet to this day no visible action has been taken despite serious allegations.
“Every Indigenous Naga is required to produce an Indigenous Certificate while processing land-related documents. If that is the legal requirement for Indigenous citizens themselves, then the public deserves answers. How were non-Indigenous individuals able to acquire such lands? Who facilitated these transactions? Who among our own people betrayed the trust of future generations by enabling the transfer of ancestral land?” the DNSU demanded.
Issuing what it termed a final appeal to the Government, investigating agencies and all competent authorities to discharge their constitutional and legal responsibilities without fear or favour, the DNSU said no individual, regardless of wealth, influence or political connections, should ever be allowed to stand above the law.
“Should the authorities continue to remain inactive, DNSU will be compelled to pursue our own course of action to safeguard the land, rights and future of the Naga people. We will expose any individual involved in such activities, irrespective of status, profession, position or influence. If defending our people's land and constitutional rights results in consequences for DNSU, we are prepared to face them,” it asserted.
The student body concluded by posing a simple question before the Government, law enforcement agencies and every responsible authority: “Will the law act against those accused of exploiting Naga land through fraud, or will it instead act against those who dared to defend it? Justice delayed is justice denied. The time to act is now.”
