NSCN (IM) refutes SCAN’s claim on Ntangki

Dimapur, Oct. 25 (EMN): NSCN (IM) on Tuesday accused the Senior Citizen’s Association of Nagaland (SCAN) of “unfairly” targeting the group with their “misleading” statement concerning Ntangki National Park.

It placed on record that Ntangki National Park originally belongs to Old Bisumpui village while Hebron was allocated as ceasefire designated camp by the then chief minister SC Jamir.

Hebron is outside the boundaries of Ntangki National Park and originally belongs to Old Jalukie village, it stated. The Jalukiekam village was established with the permission of Old Jalukie village and is a recognised village with specific boundaries.

“The Hebron camp is very much within the Jalukiekam village jurisdiction and outside the boundary of Ntangki National Park and not as recklessly claimed by SCAN. The Jalukiekam village authorities gave permission to NSCN to establish its Council Headquarters (CHQ), Hebron Camp with the condition that the land will be returned to the owner, Jalukiekam village, in the event of NSCN leaving the place,” it read.

Further, NSCN (IM) claimed that the need to protect the Ntangki forest and wildlife was taken up during the NSCN National Assembly, Gilgal Camp in 1996.

‘Accordingly, no newly set up villages were allowed to exist inside the Ntangki National Park. During the course of Indo-Naga political talks, Ntangki National Park was never a topic of discussion as this has nothing to do with Naga political settlement. Whether there is a solution or not, it will remain protected and shall be preserved as Naga national property,’ read the statement.

It also said that the Forest department shifted its office from Bisumpuikam village to Bisumpuikam village block-C.

‘On no occasion NSCN had disturbed or caused harassment to the Forest department in performing its duties. NSCN as a responsible organisation will never overstep its role to stoop that low to be a source of nuisance to the department and thus, the question of the Forest department having to ask permission from the NSCN should never arise,’ it said.