With the expiry of the seven-day ultimatum served to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Nagaland concerning the detention of Mr. Vezhoto Hesuh, and in view of the Government’s failure to fulfil the demands raised by the Centre Chakhesang Youth Organisation (CCYO) in toto, the Organisation has decided to commence the first phase of its agitation by launching a Non-Cooperation Movement against the Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department.
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In a press statement, Dode Nakro, President of the CCYO, stated that the Organisation has exhausted all reasonable avenues of waiting for an appropriate response from the Government. Despite the seriousness of the issues raised, the concerns and demands placed before the Government have not been satisfactorily addressed.
The CCYO stated that it is therefore compelled to take this decisive step in defence of the rights, dignity, customs and traditional practices of the people.
Accordingly, the CCYO announces the following measures:
- Commencement of Non-Cooperation Movement:
With effect from the intervening midnight of 5 and 6 October 2026, the CCYO shall commence a Non-Cooperation Movement against the Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department throughout the Centre Chakhesang area. The Organisation declares that the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, shall be treated as unacceptable and non-operative within the Centre Chakhesang area. - Lifting of Hunting Prohibition:
Consequently, the existing prohibition on hunting within the Centre Chakhesang area shall stand lifted with effect from the intervening midnight of 5 and 6 October 2026. - Restriction on Entry of Outsiders:
The entry of outsiders, including personnel of Government departments and agencies, into Centre Chakhesang villages shall continue to remain prohibited until further notice. The CCYO has stated that trespassers shall enter at their own risk. - Restriction on Photography and Videography:
The prohibition on photography and videography within the jurisdiction of the CCYO shall continue to remain strictly in force.
Constitutional and Customary Rights
The CCYO stated that the decision is a direct consequence of the Government’s failure to respond to the seven-day ultimatum and to adequately address the concerns raised by the Organisation.
The Organisation invokes Article 371A of the Constitution of India, which provides special constitutional protection in respect of the distinctive identity, customary laws, social practices, customary institutions, and land and its resources of the Naga people.
According to the CCYO, Article 371A is not merely a historical or symbolic provision but represents a constitutional recognition of the unique relationship of the Naga people with their customary institutions, traditions, land and natural resources.
The Organisation strongly asserts that the people of Nagaland cannot be expected to remain silent when statutory enforcement is perceived to disregard, undermine or interfere with established Naga customary practices and traditional relationships with nature and wildlife.
For generations, Naga communities have maintained a close relationship with forests, land and wildlife. The CCYO maintains that traditional practices and customary institutions cannot simply be disregarded in the course of departmental enforcement and that the protections under Article 371A must be reflected not only in constitutional provisions but also in administrative practice.
The CCYO further stated that it will no longer accept a situation in which customary practices are subjected to what it describes as selective or arbitrary departmental action, while the constitutional safeguards guaranteed under Article 371A are not adequately recognised.
The Organisation urged the Government of Nagaland to understand that Article 371A cannot be invoked selectively or treated as a ceremonial constitutional provision. If the Constitution recognises the distinctive customary and traditional institutions of the Naga people, the CCYO asserted, those protections must be reflected in the functioning of government departments at the grassroots level.
Demand for Government Response
The CCYO reiterated that its present course of action stems from the continued failure of the Government to address the grievances surrounding the detention of Mr. Vezhoto Hesuh, as well as the broader concerns regarding the treatment of Naga customary practices by the Forest Department.
The Organisation stated that it has exhausted the available avenues for seeking a satisfactory response and has therefore resolved to commence the first phase of its agitation.
Accordingly, the CCYO Non-Cooperation Movement against the Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department shall commence throughout the Centre Chakhesang area from the intervening midnight of 5 and 6 October 2026.
