The Global Naga Forum raises concerns over the Pfutsero radar plan, warning of long-term land, rights and security implications for local communities.
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DIMAPUR — A planned military radar installation at Pfutsero in Phek district has set off alarm bells, with the Global Naga Forum (GNF) cautioning that the project’s implications go “far beyond” its stated defence purpose.
In a press release issued on Sunday, the GNF stated that the planned Indian Air Force (IAF) Mountain Radar system—intended for airspace surveillance and strengthening India’s defence preparedness—should not be viewed in purely technical terms.
While acknowledging that the installation is not a weapon and may not pose an immediate threat to civilian lives, the forum warned of long-term political, social and territorial consequences.
It pointed out that such defence infrastructure typically leads to restricted zones, increased military presence and expansion of supporting facilities.
“And most importantly, the area will be drawn into India’s strategic defence grid. Once that happens, the land will no longer just be a village asset.
“It becomes part of a larger military framework with implications that go far beyond what is being told to the people today,” the statement read.
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The forum linked the move to India’s broader effort to bolster its defence posture amid regional tensions involving China and Pakistan, highlighting Nagaland’s strategic location.
However, it stressed that national security considerations must not override the rights and consent of indigenous communities.
Invoking Article 371A, the GNF reiterated that land and its resources belong to the Naga people, and any decision involving land use must be taken with the knowledge, consent and participation of the rightful owners.
At the same time, it flagged concerns over how such projects are typically pursued, alleging that negotiations are often routed through state agencies and intermediaries, accompanied by financial incentives that may influence individual landowners.
The GNF warned that the “real danger” lies not in the radar installation itself but in the decision-making process.
It cautioned that landowners driven by short-term financial gains could enter into agreements without fully understanding the long-term consequences.
“Land once committed to such a framework does not easily return to its original character or control,” it stated.
Calling for restraint, the forum urged landowners in the Chakhesang area to treat the issue as a collective matter rather than a private transaction.
It appealed to tribal bodies, village councils and civil society organisations to facilitate open discussions and arrive at a unified position before any agreement is made.
The GNF also reiterated its longstanding demand for the relocation of Assam Rifles camps from urban centres across Naga areas, maintaining that civilian spaces should not be gradually overtaken by expanding military presence.
Framing the issue as larger than a single project, the forum stated that the proposed installation raises fundamental questions about land, rights and the future of the Naga people, calling for “foresight and unity” in addressing the matter.