ASUD, CSUD, NIPF backs DNSU on Illegal land acquisition issue
DIMAPUR, JUNE 28 (MExN): The Ao Students' Union Dimapur (ASUD), Chakhesang Students’ Union Dimapur (CSUD) and the Nagaland Indigenous Peoples Forum (NIPF) have come out strongly in support to the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) following its recent report exposing the fraudulent acquisition of indigenous inhabitant certificates and illegal land procurement by non-indigenous individuals in Nagaland.
In separate statements issued on Saturday, the groups condemned what they described as a “deep-rooted operation” involving forged indigenous certificates, benami land ownership, and encroachment upon ancestral lands—posing a serious threat to the social and political integrity of the Naga people.
ASUD termed these actions both “deceptive and dangerous,” warning that such trends erode the very foundation of indigenous identity and represent a direct assault on the legal protections enshrined in Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India.
The union also drew attention to violations of the Nagaland Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2002, which explicitly prohibits the transfer of land to non-indigenous persons without official sanction.
Calling for urgent measures, ASUD demanded the immediate cancellation of fraudulently obtained indigenous certificates, prosecution of both beneficiaries and issuing authorities, and the introduction of robust digital verification protocols to prevent further misuse. It also proposed the formation of a permanent Indigenous Vigilance Taskforce in collaboration with tribal hohos, civil society organisations, and student unions.
“The time has come for a firm stand. Our rights are not negotiable. We stand in solidarity with every student body, tribe, and concerned citizen who believes that land is identity,” ASUD stated.
Reinforcing this sentiment, the CSUD commended the DNSU for its detailed fact-finding and called the ongoing trend a violation of the traditional rights of Nagas. “We condemn any action that seeks to exploit our land and traditional rights, which are supremely protected under Article 371(A),” the CSUD stated, adding that such rights must be safeguarded for future generations.
Appealing to all right-thinking Naga citizens, the CSUD urged public support in resisting what it described as attempts by “individual intruders” who, in the name of permanent settlement, are seeking to claim traditional rights over Naga land.
“We will not be intimidated by self-minded individuals seeking to advance their interests at the cost of our indigenous rights and tarnish our long-inherited traditional values,” the CSUD said.
The Union also appealed to the state government to act swiftly and initiate a proper investigation to curb what it termed a growing menace.
It also urged the public and village councils to exercise extreme caution when issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) or standing as guarantors for non-locals, and called on the state government to initiate swift investigations into all such cases.
Meanwhile, the NIPF, following its June 27 interaction with DNSU leaders, expressed similar concern over the expanding influence of non-indigenous settlers in Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland. “Non-indigenous individuals have gone from being petty helpers to now impacting the local economy and claiming land through fictitious transactions,” the forum stated.
Drawing parallels with demographic shifts in Tripura and Assam, the NIPF warned that failure to act now could result in irreversible consequences for Nagaland.
It also condemned the recent assault on an indigenous resident by a non-local vendor in Murgipatti, calling it a disturbing reflection of the rising assertion of non-indigenous elements in the state. The forum demanded prompt and decisive action by the authorities to ensure such incidents do not recur.
