Dimapur, May 19 (MExN): The Nagaland Gaon Buras Federation (NGBF) has cautioned individuals and organisations against the wrongful interpretation of the Nagaland Village and Area Councils Act, particularly Section 4, which provides that hereditary village Chiefs, GBs and Angs shall be ex-officio members of Village Councils with voting rights.
The Federation, in a press release issued by its Media Cell, said it had received inputs from “reliable sources” indicating that certain individuals or groups, driven by personal or ulterior motives, were allegedly misinterpreting the provision to undermine or circumvent the authority of hereditary village Chiefs, GBs and Angs.
The NGBF firmly maintained that any deliberate misinterpretation of the Act was not only legally untenable but also constituted a direct challenge to the institution of hereditary village Chiefs, GBs and Angs, which remained integral to the customary governance system and traditions of the Nagas. “Such actions were viewed as detrimental to Naga customs, institutions, and societal harmony,” the Federation stated.
The NGBF cautioned against any further ill-informed interpretation, misrepresentation or malicious attempt to weaken the institution, adding, “Any such act shall be subject to serious scrutiny by the Federation, and appropriate steps shall be considered in safeguarding the dignity, authority, and constitutional recognition of these institutions.”
No CSO has legal authority to act arbitrarily
Meanwhile, the Federation expressed deep concern over an issue currently making headlines across print and social media involving the DNSU, DUCCF, DCCI and GBs Union Sadar. At a time when Naga society was already facing fragmentation on many fronts, further discord among own institutions and organisations only weakened the spirit of unity, understanding, and mutual respect that society urgently needed, it said.
While the Federation stated it did not intend to debate the jurisdiction of any organisation, it sincerely appealed for wisdom, restraint, and responsible engagement from all sides. In the greater interest of peace, communal harmony, and social cohesion, the NGBF urged the concerned groups to pursue an amicable resolution by convening a joint meeting and addressing their differences through dialogue, mutual respect and understanding.
The Federation also made it clear that no Civil Society Organisation (CSO) possessed the legal authority to act arbitrarily or exercise powers relating to law and order beyond the framework of established legal provisions. In the event of grievances, discrepancies, or allegations of wrongdoing, such matters should be brought before the competent authority for proper inquiry, due process, and appropriate action through the district administration.
The NGBF appealed to all organisations not to take the law into their own hands or assume authority beyond their legitimate mandate. Instead, all concerned must demonstrate responsibility, maturity, and respect for the rule of law, particularly at a time when societal peace and law-and-order conditions remained fragile. “Regardless of the seriousness of any issue, lawful action must be left to the competent authorities in accordance with established legal procedures,” it added.
Further, the Federation urged the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur to intervene proactively and facilitate a peaceful resolution before the matter escalated further.
