Nagaland: Wildlife posing saga turns into constitutional debate

•     Youth bodies demand high-level probe
•     Suspension of wildlife protection officer

Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 24 

A youth posing with protected wildlife, alleged violation of wildlife law, his subsequent arrest, and an alleged Rs 1 lakh demand for settling the case seems to have unfolded into a constitutional debate. While accusing the Nagaland Forest department of selective weaponising of the Wildlife Protection Act, Naga youth organisations have questioned whether the wildlife law infringes upon protections guaranteed under Article 371(A). They alleged wildlife officials are exploiting conservation laws to harass and extort ordinary citizens under the guise of enforcement, and demanded revisiting the special constitutional provision for Nagaland.

The 30-year old youth in question, Vezhoto Hesuh was summoned and detained by the state Wildlife Crime Control Unit (WCCU) after posting social media photos/videos featuring an owl on his shoulder and feeding a monkey. The animals reportedly belonged to his relatives who were said to be juveniles. 

He was summoned by the WCCU in Dimapur on September 11 following the surfacing of the visuals on September 8.  The allegation was that the WCCU reportedly sought a monetary for Hesuh’s release. When Hesuh could not pay, he was allegedly placed on a five-day remand before obtaining bail on September 22.

On September 24, the Western Naga Youth Front (WNYF), Naga Youth Movement (NYM) and Western Chakhesang Youth Organisation (WCYO) jointly addressed a press conference in Dimapur decrying the WCCU’s alleged action, and what they held was an excessive measure for a first-time offence. 

WNYF Advisor Major (Retired) Boktiba Jamir called on the state government, judiciary, and custodians of Naga customary laws to revisit Article 371(A). While referencing the special provisions of the Article, Jamir questioned whether laws like the Wildlife Protection Act are clashing with Naga traditional practices.

Idizeung Naga, also a WNYF Advisor, cited perceived lack of public awareness and alleged double standards in enforcement. Citing wildlife conservation catchphrase ‘Don't shoot with guns, shoot with cameras,’ Idizeung pointed out the contradiction of arresting a youth over social media photos. He further alleged selective action by the department, asserting that the same yardstick must apply to politicians and bureaucrats as well.

“Just for posing and taking a picture, imposing an amount of Rs 1 lakh, and then negotiating down to Rs 70,000 and Rs 50,000, is this a shop where people bargain for goods?” WNYF President Neisapa Soho asked. He said that even the traffic police let go of first-time offenders after a cautioning. While habitual offenders deserve to be locked-up, he said that it was unfair they way Hesuh’s case was handled. 

NYM member Elithung Naga questioned whether the department was functioning as a lawful body or like a “mafia.” 

The WCYO had submitted a representation to the Nagaland Chief Minister on September 22 demanding a “high-level inquiry” and suspending the officer against whom they levelled the allegation. It claimed that Hesuh’s family has audio recording of the WCCU officer’s alleged bid for a monetary settlement. 

Included among their demands was “Mandatory Disclosure” by the Department of Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department “detailing the exact offence, statutory provisions, case/complaint numbers, and legal basis invoked during the incident.”

It further called for sensitisation of wildlife personnel “ensuring that enforcement respects local realities and community dignity rather than breeding fear and alienation.”