GPRN/NSCN (U) raises concern over Forest department actions, land ownership, and human-elephant conflicts.
DIMAPUR — The Ministry of Kilo (Home) Affairs of the GPRN/NSCN (Unification) has expressed concern over recurring wildlife-related incidents and alleged high-handedness of the Forest department in its dealings with ordinary citizens, urging the state government to clarify the legal basis of the department's authority over ancestral lands.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the organisation stated that over the past several years, reports of innocent people being summoned, threatened, and subjected to mental torture in the name of wildlife protection have raised questions concerning the department’s conduct and understanding of Naga customary rights.
While stating that it does not ordinarily concern itself with the internal administrative affairs of the Nagaland government, the organisation asserted that silence is unacceptable when actions appear to encroach upon the land, property, and inherent rights of the Naga people. It added that administrative authority does not confer an unrestricted licence to intimidate citizens or disregard ancestral rights.
The statement highlighted the recurring destruction caused by wild elephants entering Nagaland from neighbouring Assam, noting that several regions have suffered extensive damage to plantations and agricultural produce, alongside loss of lives in stampedes. It pointed out that a herd of wild elephants was recently seen roaming around Hovishe village in Niuland, causing damage to plantations and private property.
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The organisation questioned why the department's enforcement machinery appears more conspicuous when dealing with ordinary citizens than intervening to protect human lives and livelihoods, urging prompt preventive measures, response to emergencies, and relief for affected communities.
It also criticised the summoning and harassment of citizens for posting photographs with animals on social media, citing the case of Vezheto Hesuh. The group maintained that posting a photograph cannot, in itself, establish illegal hunting, poaching, or trafficking, and called on the department to distinguish between innocent conduct and offences.
The group called upon the Government of Nagaland, under Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, to clarify the legal basis of the department's authority over lands traditionally owned by individuals, clans, villages, and communities, and disclose particulars regarding reserved forests, protected forests, or wildlife sanctuaries.
Citing published figures, the statement noted that Nagaland has approximately 8,629.30 square kilometres of recorded forest area, of which 7,621.07 square kilometres (88.30 per cent) are privately or community-owned, while 1,008.23 square kilometres (11.70 per cent) are state-owned. It asserted that forest cover on privately-owned land does not establish government ownership.
Referring to Article 371A(1)(a)(iv) of the Constitution of India regarding ownership and transfer of land and its resources, the group maintained that customary land ownership is rooted in historical rights and must not be disregarded for administrative convenience.
While affirming that it does not oppose lawful wildlife conservation and endangered species protection, the group urged the department to exercise restraint, address human-elephant conflict, and ensure enforcement is grounded in evidence and law.