Neiphiu Rio arrives at the camp with Justice BR Gavai and
others on Saturday.
KOHIMA — Chief
Minister Neiphiu Rio said that Nagaland is yet to receive funding from the
Centre for construction of high court projects and cited that in spite of the
resource constraints, the state government has spent about INR 242.78 crore for
the construction of the new high court till date.
“We need an additional amount of INR 299.02 crore to
complete the project,” he said while addressing the State Level Mega Legal
Services Camp on Saturday at NBCC Convention Centre in Kohima.
The camp was organised by Nagaland State Legal Services
Authority (NSLSA) in collaboration with government of Nagaland and District
Level Services Authority Kohima under the aegis of National Legal Services
Authority.
Rio shared that the state has had the presence of a high
court since the 1970s and the Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court was
inaugurated as a circuit bench on Dec 1, 1972, and a permanent bench was
inaugurated on February 10, 1990.
He recalled that the construction of the new high court was
initially mooted in 2005, land acquisition for 24 acres was completed in 2006,
and the foundation stone was laid by the then Chief Justice of India, Justice
KG Balakrishnan, on May 21, 2007, and the actual construction began in 2013.
However, he stated that while other northeastern states were
granted funds for construction of their respective high court projects,
Nagaland is yet to receive central funding.
The chief minister updated that the main building of the new
high court is almost complete with 99% physical progress and 90% of the judges’
bungalows completed, and the ancillary building of Bar Association is in good
progress. He also mentioned that the construction of staff residential quarters
is set to start shortly.
“We are hopeful of a favourable outcome on funding support
from the Union government. Our neighbouring states, which were created after
us, were granted separate High Courts in the year 2013,” he said.
Naga customary law
Speaking about the relationship between modern law and Naga
customary law, he cited three aspects: mediation, capital punishment and
forgiveness. He stated that mediation is the order of the day for dispute resolution,
whereas this is a concept several centuries old in Naga customary law.
He also shared that capital punishment never existed amongst
the Naga people and is an unknown concept in their customary practices.
“Forgiveness is the hallmark of our customary law, and in modern law, attempts
are being made to reform people who violate the law.”
Rio asserted that Naga customary law has stood the test of
time and the people do not want it to be disturbed. He reminded that in 2024
the Supreme Court had affirmed that the courts will not interfere with Naga
customary practices and other laws protected under Article 371A.
He said that Nagaland’s three-tier system of village court,
subordinate district customary court and district customary court has many
advantages.
“These courts are manned by the Gaon Buras and Dobashis, who
with their traditional red attire command respect in the community. Justice
delivered by the traditional system is inexpensive, quick and widely acceptable
in the community,” he said.
Rio also reminded that the system of local self-government
in Nagaland, known as the village councils, is governed as per the Nagaland
Village and Tribal Councils Act, 1978.
Justice BR Gavai, a Supreme Court Judge and Executive
Chairman of NALSA, said that the purpose of the camp is to provide free and
accessible aid to every citizen. He expressed gratitude for the genuine
kindness, humility and hospitality rendered by the Nagas upon arrival.
He described Saturday’s camp at Kohima as the best he has
ever been part of. He said that through NALSA, they are trying to reach the
most remote parts of the country.
MoS says no more funding problem
Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Law and Justice and
Parliamentary Affairs, said that in the 2025-26 financial year, the funding
problem for Nagaland High Court building will not arise.
He also addressed another significant issue: the royalty
sharing from oil extraction between Assam and Nagaland, and said that since the
issue is still pending, “we will try to settle it.”
Supreme Court Judges Justice N Kotiswar Singh and Justice
Surya Kant also delivered short speeches.
A special song was performed by children from Kohima
Orphanage and Destitute Home, besides cultural performances by various Nagaland
artistes. Chief Secretary J Alam delivered a short speech.
