Student unions unite against illegal land grab in Dimapur

DIMAPUR — The Ao Students' Union Dimapur (ASUD), Chakhro Angami Kuda Students' Union (CAKSU) and Dimapur Rengma Students' Union (DRSU) have extended full support and solidarity to the Dimapur Naga Students' Union (DNSU) in its stand against the fraudulent acquisition of land and indigenous certificates by non-local individuals in Dimapur.

In a press statement on Saturday, the ASUD reiterated its unwavering commitment to protect and uphold the distinct identity, rights, and ancestral land of the Naga people.

“Our roots are not merely cultural; they are historical, legal and sacred. Any attempt to dilute, distort, or adulterate this foundation is a direct attack on our existence,” it asserted.

Also read: Dimapur Naga Students’ Union urges action against fraudulent land acquisition

The union condemned the fraudulent acquisition of indigenous certificates by non-Nagas, enabling them to illegally buy land and access privileges, posing a serious threat to the socio-political fabric of the Naga community.

It lauded the DNSU for exposing a deep-rooted operation involving fraudulent documentation and the misuse of native identity for illegal land acquisition.

The ASUD demanded immediate investigation and cancellation of all fraudulently obtained indigenous certificates; Identification and prosecution of all individuals involved, including issuing authorities, beneficiaries, and intermediaries; and implementation of robust verification protocols and digital safeguards to prevent further of indigenous status.

Further, the union called for enforcement of the ILP with greater stringency, and collaboration with tribal hohos, civil society, and student unions to form a permanent “Indigenous Vigilance Taskforce.”

Let this be a turning point. The Nagas cannot and will not be made strangers in their own land. Our rights are not negotiable. We stand in solidarity with every student body, tribe, and concerned citizen who believes that land is identity.

In a separate press release, the CAKSU commended DNSU for its thorough fact-finding regarding the case involving Nirmal Jain’s alleged misuse of documents to claim indigenous status.

“Such acts not only undermine the laws of the land but also threaten the inherent rights, ancestral land and identity of the indigenous Naga people,” the union stated.

“CAKSU strongly condemns any attempt to exploit or manipulate the system for personal gain by falsely assuming tribal identities. These actions jeopardise the social, legal and economic balance of our society and must be addressed with urgency and seriousness.

“We urge the concerned authorities to treat this issue with utmost gravity and take swift and appropriate legal action against those found guilty. Fraudulent acquisition of land and misrepresentation of identity must not be tolerated under any circumstance. We also call for stricter verification mechanisms to prevent such illegal practices in the future,” the union stated.

The DRSU also expressed grave concern over the recent revelations surrounding the systematic misuse of indigenous certificates by non-Naga individuals to illegally acquire land and reserved benefits in Nagaland.

“After extensive inquiry and thorough verification, the DNSU has uncovered credible evidence pointing to a deliberate and coordinated operation in which fraudulent indigenous certificates are being used to unlawfully claim ownership of land and gain access to entitlements reserved exclusively for indigenous Naga citizens under Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution.

“This exploitation of our legal framework is not only an attack on the rights and identity of the Naga people, but also a dangerous erosion of the laws that safeguard our ancestral land, culture, and political autonomy,” the union stated.

The DRSU went on to state that the recent revelations reflects a larger, disturbing trend where land mafias, in collaboration with unscrupulous local facilitators, are attempting to dismantle the very foundation of Naga rights through manipulation and deceit.