Morung Express News
October 7
KOHIMA: Supreme Court Judge HK Sema today pointed out that there were certain grey areas in the customs and usage prevalent in the Naga society which needed a fresh look. He cited the example of Naga women who were not entitled to a share in landed properties. “Let the past experience be added to the knowledge of the present generation to face new challenges in every aspect by rectifying the customs which are opposed to public policy”, Justice Sema said while addressing the State Level Seminar on Customary Laws, with special reference to their land holding system, held at the Imagine Nagaland Hall, Administrative Training Institute, Kohima.
He also observed that the system of administering justice was gradually eroding as Nagas with the onslaught of modern culture had now become over materialistic. Despite modern civilization advancing, the moral progress of the Nagas was sliding backwards; he said and called for serious introspection to stem this malaise.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, speaking as the Guest of Honor, pointed out the unique feature of the land holding system in Nagaland. “Land belongs to the people and not the government,” Rio said further adding that the government did not claim ownership of any land except those that have been donated by the people or acquired by the government on payment of compensation. Pointing out that the value and utility of land would continue to increase with the growth of population, Rio urgently called for regulating land-use in a more scientific, productive and economically feasible manner.
It may be mentioned that the state government had recently passed a legislation that will enable private lands to be mortgaged against loans taken from banks and financial institutions subject to the condition that such banks and financial institutions shall not transfer the land to those who are not indigenous inhabitants of the state without the prior sanction of the state government.
Chief Justice of Guwahati High Court in his keynote speech mentioned that Nagaland was the only State where land holding and customary laws were being studied to be codified. Yitachu, Parliamentary Secretary called for compiling customary laws of various tribes into a single practice for the entire Nagas.
Other who spoke included Justice IA Ansari, Director NEC Shillong RP Kharpuri, Justice D. Biswas, Banuo Z Jamir, Commissioner & Secretary.
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