Advisor for Law and Justice and Land revenue, Government of Nagaland TN Mannen, IAS (Retd) speaking at the silver jubilee celebration of Nagaland Law Students' Federation at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima on December 12. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express news
Kohima | December 12
Advisor for Law and Justice and Land Revenue, Government of Nagaland, TN Mannen, IAS (Retd) today stressed on the need to formulate and codify Naga customary laws, and come together to address the Naga political issue and border issues with the state of Assam.
He was speaking during the introductory function of the Silver jubilee celebration of the Nagaland Law Students' Federation (NSLF) at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima under the theme ‘Forging Equitable Justice.’
Manne speaker said that Naga customary laws, unless refined and codified now, will soon become irrelevant in half a century or less. The Advisor said that the system of organisational structure of setting up of customary law courts in Nagaland is yet to be established even after more than 50 years of statehood.
However relevant in the past at village level, today’s disputes between larger organisation, inter marriage issues, inter tribal or inter village issues will crop up and for which he stressed on the need to understand what law to apply. Mannen said, in the past no two village’s customary laws and practices were exact or differed.
He said customary law and it's usages in Naga society is still in its infant stage, with limited scope of application, "not to speak of the content of the customary laws and usages of the different tribes which would form its applicability, among its people.
Adding that the organizational structure of customary law needs to be formulated first before refinement, he said existing practices and laws need to be further refined and standardised to meet present needs of the time. The Advisor said unless it is refined and codified tribal laws will soon become irrelevant.
Speaking about the Naga political issue, he said that the initial motivation and enthusiasm for a lofty dream of a united Naga Nation, independent and sovereign, has been reduced to a position where even the least demand for integration of Naga inhabited areas is considered seems impossible.
"The high expectation of an honourable, inclusive and acceptable negotiated settlement is becoming an elusive dream," he said, adding that the Indian Government cannot be solely responsible for such a sorry state of affairs.
Today, the nationalistic impulses and the feeling of oneness and goodwill towards each other which was strong in the past, is now waning away, giving way to tribalism, intolerance, short sighted, conflict of interest and personal rivalries, he said.
The Advisor said that Nagas have begun to identify more on diversities and distinctive characteristic of each tribe, rather than developing a common road maps for all the Nagas to journey together towards a common future with understanding as was perceived and visualised by the pioneering leaders.
Sharing concerns on the border issue with Assam, he said Nagas are at a greater disadvantaged position. Mannen said that the population is expanding at exponential proportions, while land is static if not shrinking in the Naga areas.
He said that during the 600 years of Ahom Rule in Assam (1228 AD to 1826 AD), Nagas and Ahoms had respectable relationship and while during Statehood creation, the boundary between Assam and Nagaland was not decided correctly and clearly. He said that rather, the 1925 line drawn up by the British administration which was done without ground verification was accepted.
This, he stated, has generated a series of border disputes between the two States. He said various solution were explored including constitution of a Boundary Commission, a Supreme Court case since 1988 filed by Assam, the Local Commission 2006, the Arbitration of 2010; but so far no acceptable solution has been found. Mannen said in the meantime Assam is usurping most of the Reserved Forest areas which were alienated since the British period.
He also mentioned that another vital issue for the Nagas especially for the younger generation was the foothill areas along the Assam and Nagaland border which will effect potential areas of economic development of the State.
He said young people are the makers of their own destiny and young people have lots of fresh ideas and creativity. It is time, he said for young people to look forward to issues that are surfacing in society today.
The welcome address was delivered by T Lima, Convener, Jubilee Organizing Committee and obituary reference was administered by Hukato, Alumni. Thungbeni Kikon, former Speaker, NLSF chaired the programme and Imliben Lemtur, 1st woman president, Nagaland Law Students' Federation (NSLF) delivered greetings.
In the inaugural function held in the afternoon, Speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Sharingain Longkumer was the special guest and Advocate Akito Zhimomi, President, Nagaland Bar Association (NBA) delivered the theme speech. T Tohuka Achumi, President, NLSF gave the presidential address. The first President of NLSF, Tiakaba Jamir extended greetings.
