The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has demanded immediate and visible action in the alleged Nirmal Jain land fraud case, expressing concern over what it described as a lack of progress in the investigation despite the availability of documentary evidence in the public domain.
In a statement issued on Monday, the DNSU said Jain’s Indigenous Certificate had been cancelled after it was found to have been fraudulently obtained, but alleged that the larger issue concerning lands purportedly acquired using the certificate remained unresolved.
The Union questioned why the lands allegedly acquired through the fraudulent Indigenous Certificate had not been seized or subjected to what it termed “visible legal scrutiny”. It also called for a thorough investigation into the alleged benami land transactions and the wider network allegedly involved in illegal land dealings.
The DNSU said more than two months had passed since the First Information Report (FIR) was registered, but claimed that no charge sheet had been filed, no public update issued and no visible progress demonstrated by the investigating authorities.
“Such prolonged silence is deeply disturbing and only erodes public confidence in the rule of law,” the Union stated.
The DNSU maintained that its concerns were not based on rumours or speculation, claiming that documents and evidence relating to alleged forgery, fraud, criminal conspiracy, cheating and the alleged illegal procurement and use of government documents to facilitate land transactions had already entered the public domain.
The Union said the alleged delay had created a perception that valuable time was being lost and that the accused was being given an opportunity to shield himself from legal consequences. It acknowledged that such perceptions may or may not be justified but said they nevertheless undermined public confidence in institutions.
The student body also alleged that it had faced pressure and repeated attempts to silence its campaign, while expressing concern over what it described as the confidence with which Jain was allegedly continuing land dealings.
The DNSU appealed to citizens not to support individuals accused of exploiting Naga land and constitutional protections, and urged the public to remain cautious of what it described as rumours, misinformation and propaganda against the Union.
Clarifying its position, the DNSU said its movement had never been directed against any individual, politician, bureaucrat, police officer, political party, business community, civil society organisation, NGO, union, faction or community.
It said its campaign was focused on issues concerning the protection of Naga land, Indigenous rights and proper implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP).
The Union argued that while corruption in education, healthcare, development and business may continue to emerge as societies evolve, but issues concerning indigenous identity, land ownership and the effective implementation of the Inner Line Permit are “existential issue” and is very important, and failing to take action on the right time may put Nagas’ future in grave danger.
“Once our lands are lost, we will gradually lose not only our natural resources, but also our culture, customs, traditions, language and ultimately our identity as a people,” it stated.
The DNSU posed a series of questions concerning the future of Naga land, including what would happen to future generations if ancestral lands continued to be transferred to outsiders, and what meaning the rule of law would have if it failed to protect the land it was intended to safeguard.
It also invoked Article 371A of the Constitution, describing the provision as a reflection of the sacrifices and struggles of earlier generations to preserve Naga land, identity and rights.
The Union said protecting these rights was a collective responsibility involving politicians, bureaucrats, police personnel, members of the armed forces, businessmen, government employees, village leaders, workers and students.
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The DNSU further referred to an earlier controversy involving Girdharlal Sharma and Sanjay Sharma, saying that it had faced criticism at the time over allegations that it had taken the law into its own hands following what it described as failure of authorities to act.
It claimed that serious questions arising from that episode remained unanswered and that the lack of visible action continued to erode public trust.
Questioning the process through which non-Indigenous individuals were allegedly able to acquire land, the DNSU asked: Who facilitated these transactions, and who among the Naga people enabled the transfer of ancestral land?
The Union called upon the government, investigating agencies and all competent authorities to discharge their constitutional and legal responsibilities “without fear or favour”, stressing that no individual should be above the law irrespective of wealth, influence or political connections.
The DNSU warned that continued inaction could compel it to “pursue our own course of action” to safeguard Naga land, rights and the future of the Naga people.
It further said it would expose individuals allegedly involved in such activities irrespective of their status, profession, position or influence.
“If defending our people’s land and constitutional rights results in consequences for DNSU, we are prepared to face them,” the Union stated.
The DNSU posed what it described as the central question before the government and law enforcement agencies: whether the law would act against those accused of exploiting Naga land through fraud or against those who raised their voice in defence of it.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. The time to act is now,” the DNSU said.
