The Ao Senden has strongly urged the state government to summon a special Assembly session and immediately pass a Resolution against the implementation of Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act 2023 in Nagaland in exercise of Article 371(A).

President Chubawati Longchar and General Secretary Imtipokyim, in a press release, said on Wednesday that it was unfortunate that the Government at Centre had passed the Bill despite of concerns raised from various quarters across India. Mentioning in particular, the 100km exemption for environmental clearance for forests along international borders, the apex body of the Ao Naga tribe stated that such proposed exemptions in the amended Act is “a serious matter of concern with the potential to cause unrest in the northeastern states in general and Nagaland in particular.”

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The Senden stated its worry over the Act’s impact on the environment but said that for the Nagas, the social impact is more concerning.

The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act 2023 will leave our lands without any protection from arbitrary diversion and decisions of the Union government as it excludes obtaining prior consent from village councils and local district authorities, it said.

Ao Senden further stated, “Law makers in New Delhi making arbitrary laws for us without our knowledge and consent to usurp our land is undemocratic and unacceptable”. The tribal body also mentioned its displeasure over Centre making majoritarian policies without taking into consideration the rights of the minority communities in recent times.

It said the “Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act 2023 along with other such arbitrary laws is seen as a planned move towards establishing a unitary government undermining Indian federalism.”