Dimapur, June 9 : The Naga Hoho has cautioned that there would be ‘fatal’, ‘forthcoming trouble’ in the future for non-Naga persons into whose ownership lands of Naga persons were transferred due to loan defaults. The organization issued a press release on Thursday warning banks and financial institutions, besides Naga citizens, not to sell or auction land to non-Naga persons.
“Off late, it has been observed that non-indigenous Nagas are acquiring land ownership in Nagaland through various means particularly through financial institutions. In this regard, the Naga Hoho strongly opposes transfer of ownership of indigenous Naga bank loan defaulters landed property to non-Nagas either through auction or otherwise,” the organization stated in its statement predicting doom for land transfer.
The organization observed that “indigenous Naga bank loan defaulters landed properties are being transferred to non-Nagas.” This is a blatant violation of Article 371 (A) of the constitution including the Nagaland Government Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Act 1978, Section 2 (2), the organization stated. A clause in one of the Acts reads the following: “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any law, usage, contract or agreement no person (other than the Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland) shall acquire or posses by transfer, exchange, lease, agreement of settlement of any land”.
National banks, financial institutions, private lenders and citizens commoners are cautioned not to indulge in selling and auction of land to non-Nagas in the state of Nagaland which, the tribal organization stated, “will have fatal ramification for the Nagas.”
The ‘hoho’ clarified that its stance was not to protect loan violators. “However, this does not meant that we are protecting the defaulters in various financial institutions but constrained to issue this statement following the decision of the executive council in order to safeguard the rights of the Nagas,” the statements stated.
“Naga Hoho will not be responsible for any forthcoming trouble in near future for those non-Nagas who have already acquired land in Nagaland after 1st December 1963 onward which is in violation of customary and statutory provisions. Henceforth all Nagas must not indulge in selling and transfer of land to outsiders and should strictly abide by article 371(A).”
The organization has also appealed to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and the Nagaland government to ensure and exercise their powers based on Article 371 (A) in regard to land with prudence and inform all land registering authorities to strictly act according to the land rules and acts.
