Western Sumi Hoho has urged the Nagaland government to rectify geographical mapping discrepancies that it said wrongly place several historic Naga villages in Niuland district within neighbouring districts of Assam
DIMAPUR — The Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) has urged the Nagaland government to rectify geographical mapping discrepancies that it said wrongly place several historic Naga villages in Niuland district within neighbouring districts of Assam.
The issue was raised during a meeting between a delegation of the Hoho, led by its president, Tokuho Suhoi Neho, and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at his private residence in Sovima.
The delegation submitted a representation outlining the community’s concerns over oil exploration, the Nagaland-Assam boundary dispute and geographical mapping anomalies in Niuland district.
According to a press release issued by the WSH on Saturday, the delegation pointed out discrepancies in the Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of several historic Naga villages in Niuland district. It said various digital mapping tools and official location databases erroneously depict these recognised Naga villages as falling within neighbouring districts of Assam.
Also read: Nagaland mandates UX4G design system for e-governance platforms
Ao Senden rejects Health department’s reply, warns of action from October 21
Describing the discrepancies as a distortion of administrative reality and historical identity, the WSH urged the state administration to initiate immediate coordination with national mapping agencies and relevant authorities to rectify the errors.
The delegation also raised concerns over the long-standing, unresolved boundary dispute between Nagaland and Assam, particularly along areas bordering Niuland district. It said the prolonged ambiguity along the border had implications for the security, tranquillity and daily livelihoods of border villagers.
The WSH appealed to the state government to take proactive steps towards an equitable and permanent resolution of the territorial dispute, while ensuring the protection and security of native landholders.
On oil exploration in Western Sumi areas, the WSH highlighted the need to safeguard the rights, land ownership and future economic interests of local indigenous inhabitants. While acknowledging the potential for regional economic growth, it stressed the need for fair, transparent and community-centric frameworks before proceeding with operational measures.
The press release stated that Rio gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured it that the state government remained committed to safeguarding tribal rights, addressing border issues as a priority and taking necessary measures to resolve discrepancies concerning village demographics and geographical records.