Chümoukedima village councils back strict ILP enforcement

DIMAPUR — Representatives from various village councils under the Chümoukedima district on Wednesday met for the first time to discuss a range of welfare issues at the Chümoukedima village council hall.

The members commended the state government for its decision to strictly enforce the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime and pledged their full support to the enforcing agencies to ensure its successful implementation.

They requested the government to consider allowing a hybrid approach involving both online and offline application methods, making the online system more guarantor-friendly. Additionally, they urged the government to extend the validity of ILP for agricultural labourers from 90 days to one year.

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The village council placed on record its sincere appreciation for the state government’s effort to uphold, strengthen and streamline the Naga customary laws by way of notifying Part 4 (A) of the Act through the Rules for Administration of Justice and Police in Nagaland (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2025.

In this regard, the members requested the government to consider the concerns recently raised by the Nagaland Bar Association vis-à-vis the Fifth Amendment; frame the rules for the appointment of the presiding officer and the other two members of the district customary courts as well as procedures for the conduct of the proceedings of those courts; and give preference to retired Dobashis and renowned GBs while filling up the vacancies in the district customary courts.

The members also decided to dissolve the VDB Secretaries’ Association in the district and directed all VDB secretaries to dissociate from such an association.

Besides, the members reiterated the Naga public's call for “one government, one tax” in dealings with underground factions in the district. The members also requested the Government of India to enforce the ceasefire ground rules strictly and to review those rules to ensure that designated ceasefire monitoring offices are not misused as safe havens for lawbreakers.

Moreover, the members appealed to the Department of Rural Development to deploy a project officer at the district headquarters to facilitate VDB operations. They also urged the Department of School Education to assign a district education officer (DEO) to address the needs of schools in the district.

Additionally, they called on the Department of Law and Justice to create a post of district session judge to aid in the administration of justice, noting that the necessary infrastructure is already in place.

In a move to strengthen their organisational framework, the members decided to revive the Chümoukedima Area Village Chairmen Association (CAVCA) by renaming it as the Chümoukedima District Village Councils’ Association (CDVCA).

Meanwhile, the members have nominated interim members with Razouvotuo Chatsu, chairman of the Chümoukedima village council and former president of the Angami Public Organisation (APO), as its convenor; Vika H Chishi, chairman of the Unity Village Council, as secretary; and Sebastian Zumvu as spokesperson.

Eight advisors were also nominated, including Zhato Kimho (president of the Chakhroma Public Organisation and chairman of Piphema A Village Council), Ghuzhi Shohe (chairman of Diphupar Village Council), Reyopoyi Nyekha (chairman of United Naga Village Council), Dejiraj Giriso (head GB of Dhansiripar), Tokishe Assumi (GB of Thilixu), Charlie Sekhose (chairman of 5th Mile Model Village Council), LK Swu (head GB of Pimla), and Advocate Hukavi Zhimomi (chairman of Chekiye Village Council) as legal advisor.

A total of 191 representatives from 56 village councils in the Chümoukedima district attended the meeting.