Kohima, March 19 (MExN): Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) submitted an eight-point memorandum to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Shürhozelie Liezietsu on March 18.
The memo appended by Lendinoktang Ao, President and Nribemo Ngullie, General Secretary of NTC demanded that the Nagaland Special Development Zone (NSDZ) should be revoked without further delay. “The whole intention of NSDZ is to curve out the plain sector of Nagaland State for outsiders for permanent settlement. Such decision is anti-state and suicidal for the present and posterity.”
The Council also urged the government to implement the Nagaland Land and Revenue (Amendment) Act, 1978 in letter and in spirit. It appealed to the government of the day to send necessary instructions to the Deputy Commissioners, Revenue Officers and Village authorities concerned to strictly adhere to the law and protect “our” land and properties.
With regard to the Intanki National Park, the memo pointed out there has been rampant encroachments on the area and “devastation of forest by private individuals in connivance with all type of elements.” The NTC said it reported the matter to the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment and sought immediate intervention but there has been no immediate response. It therefore requested the State Government “not to remain helpless spectator to these destructive activities but rise to protect the National Park without delay.”
Extension of Bengal Eastern-Frontier Regulation (BEFR) Act of 1873 to cover the entire administrative jurisdiction of Nagaland was also one of the demands. The Inner Line Permit was provided for the State of Nagaland under the BEFR Act.
The NTC further urged the Government of Nagaland to re-name the Gaidinliu Memorial Hall building and use the infrastructure for meaningful purpose.
The memo also asked the State Government to impress upon the GOI to revoke extension of Disturbed Area Act in the entire state of Nagaland. It questioned the Government of India “how ceasefires…continued when its legal weapons such as AFSPA and all anti-terror laws are forced on the people.”
Meanwhile, NTC raised objection to Uniform Civil Code. It requested that the State of Nagaland take up with the Union Law Commission and the appropriate authority to exclude Nagaland from the purview of Uniform Civil Code so that “the inalienable provisions of Article 371A of the Constitution of India remain undisturbed.”
It also reiterated opposition to the recognition of Rongmei tribe stating they cannot be given indigenous Naga tribe status in the State since they have no ancestral land in Nagaland. It urged the CM to respond positively in this regard.
