The Ao Students’ Union Dimapur (ASUD) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protect the distinct identity, rights, and ancestral land of the Naga people.
Declaring that “our roots are not merely cultural, they are historical, legal and sacred,”, the ASUD said any attempt to dilute, distort or adulterate this foundation is a direct attack on our existence.
In a statement, the Union condemned the recent revelations of non-Naga individuals fraudulently acquiring indigenous inhabitant certificates and using them to illegally purchase land and access privileges meant solely for indigenous citizens. The Union described such acts as “not only deceptive but also constitutes a grave threat to the socio-political integrity of the Nagas.”
It commended the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) for its timely stance in exposing “what is a clearly a deep-rooted operation involving fraudulent documentation and the misuse of native identity for illegal land acquisition.”
Lamenting that such violations have likely persisted for years, the Union said while indigenous Nagas have continued to abide by the constitutional and customary safeguards that regulate land and identity, others have found ways to infiltrate and exploit these protections for personal and commercial gain often through forged certificates, proxy ownership (benaami) and collusion with vested interests within both local and external bodies .
It cited Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution, which protects Nagas customary laws, land and resources and the Nagaland Land and Revenue Regulations (Amendment) Act, 2002, which states that land shall not be transferred to non-indigenous persons without the sanction of the competent authorities. “This is not merely a question of land ownership, it is a direct assault on our legal rights,” it added.
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In the light of the situation, the ASUD called for immediate investigation and cancellation of all fraudulently obtained indigenous certificates. It also called for identification and prosecution of all individuals involved, including issuing authorities, beneficiaries and intermediaries.
The Union called for implementation of robust verification protocols and digital safeguards to prevent further misuse of indigenous states.
Calling for enforcement of Inner Line Permit (ILP) with greater stringency, the Union called for collaboration with tribal hohos, civil society and student unions to form a permanent Indigenous Vigilance Taskforce.
“This must be a turning point,” ASUD declared, adding, “The Nagas cannot and will not be made strangers in their own land. Our rights are not negotiable.”
It also stood in solidarity with every student body, tribe and concerned citizen who believes that land is identity.
