- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- “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.
- Furthermore, they emphasised the crucial role of GBs in
verifying the authenticity of residents, both indigenous and non-indigenous,
within urban areas.
