Nagaland: 6 district GB associations call for immediate reinstatement of urban appointments

• DIMAPUR — The Gaon Burah (GB) Associations from six districts—Dimapur, Kohima, Tseminyu, Chümoukedima, Mokokchung, and Wokha—along with the GB Union Dimapur Sadar have urged Nagaland government to immediately revoke its order placing the appointment of urban GBs in abeyance.
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• In a joint press statement, the GBs contended that the absence of appointed GBs is creating a vacuum exploited by unscrupulous elements, leaving the public vulnerable.
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• They highlighted the historical significance and constitutional relevance of the Gaon Burah institution in Naga society.

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• “The main objective of GB establishment is to represent the citizens in the rural/urban areas and the government administration in the form of an entity to execute activities and assist as a medium of link between the people and the government machineries,” the statement read.
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• The associations underscored the GB’s role as a constitutional custodian of Naga customary laws and practices, guaranteed under Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India. They asserted that attempts to alter or abolish the institution are unacceptable.
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• The GB associations went on to state that the abeyance order has severely hampered accessibility to essential services for ordinary citizens and disrupted administrative activities at the grassroots level.
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• “There is a clear-cut role of GBs when appointed that it shall assist and represent the district administration and all other governmental departments as a recognised, authorised entity to maintain law & order and report factual ground issues to the administration for a conducive atmosphere in their locality,” read the statement.
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• Furthermore, they emphasised the crucial role of GBs in verifying the authenticity of residents, both indigenous and non-indigenous, within urban areas.
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• The GBs reiterated their support for the Nagaland GB Federation (NGBF) and its previous statements made on May 17, 2024. They urged the government to recognise the critical role played by GBs and to immediately revoke the abeyance order, paving the way for the appointment of GBs in vacant positions based on established criteria.