Old Jalukie Village Council strongly opposes the proposed recognition of Kakiho village, citing land rights and constitutional protections.
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DIMAPUR — The Old Jalukie Village Council and the Jalukie Pumling Nko have formally lodged a strong objection to the proposed recognition of Kakiho village, asserting that the claimed area falls within the traditional, geographical, and administrative boundaries of Old Jalukie village in the Peren district.
In a joint letter addressed to the deputy commissioner (DC) of Chümoukedima, dated July 14, the village authorities stated, referring to the recently issued notification dated July 10 concerning the recognition of Kakiho village, that the proposed village has no historical, cultural, or legal justification to be recognised as a separate entity.
The letter was signed by Meizieying Mpom, chairman of Jalukie Pumling Nko, and Hainkeing Hiaka, chairman of Old Jalukie Village Council.
They cited that this matter has been clearly addressed in earlier official proceedings as per Order No. JUDL-15/75/789 dated February 23, 2006, issued by the DC Peren, and subsequent action by the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Jalukie (vide Order No. GA/JUDL-52/96-97/361 dated April 7, 2006), when a vacation notice was served to the chairman of the “so-called Kakiho village”, directing them to vacate the encroached land within 15 days.
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“Furthermore, the Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) have also made public declarations through various media platforms (dated 30th Sept. 2007) asserting that the land stretching from Khuva Nalla (Tehai Ki) to Nkwakreu River (Langlung) had historically been declared as the Western Sumi Region by the then British Indian Government,” the letter read.
It was further mentioned that the so-called Kakiho village does not fall within this region and has instead illegally encroached upon the ancestral territory without any form of negotiation, agreement, or consent from Old Jalukie village, the legitimate and customary landowners.
“We emphasise that any move to recognise Kakiho Village as a separate entity is arbitrary, unjustified, and detrimental to the traditional boundaries and customary land rights of Old Jalukie Village. Such action will not only undermine the administrative integrity of our village but may also lead to inter-village conflict, social discord, and legal complications.
“This matter is of utmost importance, as it is also protected under Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India, which grants special status to Naga customary laws, particularly with respect to land and its ownership. Therefore, any recognition of Kakiho Village without due consultation and without respect to existing customary and legal orders is in direct contravention of this constitutional safeguard and sets a dangerous precedent,” it added.
Mentioning that the territorial boundaries of Old Jalukie village are Temaki (Dhansiri river) to the north, Nkwakreu (Langlung river) to the east, Peren to the south, and Mungleuki (river) to the west, the authorities said that they earnestly request the esteemed office to refrain from any move to recognise Kakiho village and to consider the objection with the seriousness it deserves in order to safeguard the long-standing traditional boundaries, prevent potential conflict, and uphold the constitutional and customary rights of the indigenous landholders.