The NSCN-IM said it was unfortunate that the Senior Citizens Association of Nagaland (SCAN) had targeted them unfairly with their misleading statement that the NSCN-IM had occupied Ntangki National Park and put the park under its full control.

Read more: NSCN-IM has taken full control of Intangki National Park, says SCAN

“Given the magnitude of the issue, SCAN should have acted in a more responsible manner and not go for spoiled-brat like grumble with the highly inflammatory allegations against NSCN. They should have chosen the path that would reflect their wisdom and temperament on the given issue rather than cry foul against NSCN bereft of valid justification. On the contrary, had it not been the NSCN and counter-measures taken by it, the Ntangki National Park could have been another story today,” it said.

The NSCN-IM pointed out that Ntangki was never a topic of discussion during the course of Indo-Naga political talks and that Ntangki had nothing to do with the Naga political settlement.

“Whether there is solution or not, it will remain protected and shall be preserved as Naga national property.”

The NSCN-IM also placed on record that Ntangki National Park originally belongs to Old Bisumpui village and that the park has well-defined boundaries.

The critical need to protect the Ntangki forest and wildlife was taken up during the NSCN National Assembly, Gilgal Camp in 1996, it informed and added that the group had resolved then to protect and preserve Ntangki forest as a wildlife reserved forest. Accordingly, no newly set up villages were allowed to exist inside Ntangki National Park.

Significantly, Hebron is outside the boundaries of Ntangki National Park. Hebron originally belongs to Old Jalukie village. Jalukiekam village was established with the permission of Old Jalukie village.

It is a recognized village with specific boundaries, the NSCN-IM stated, adding that Hebron Camp is very much within the Jalukiekam village jurisdiction and outside the boundary of Ntangki National Park, not inside as recklessly claimed by SCAN.

It also pointed out that the Jalukiekam village authorities had given permission to the NSCN-IM to establish its Council Headquarters (CHQ), Hebron Camp with the condition that the land would be returned to the owner Jalukiekam village in the event of the NSCN leaving the place.

The NSCN-IM reminded that it was during S C Jamir’s tenure as chief minister that Hebron had been allocated as a ceasefire designated camp. Jamir should be well aware that the camp has nothing to do with Ntangki National Park, it added.

“The forest colony/Hebron was never given to the forest department by its land owner Jalukiekam or Old Jalukie Village,” stated the NSCN-IM. “It is important to note that it was under the compelling circumstances that the forest department shifted its office at Bisumpuikam village and at present the forest department office can be seen located at Bisumpuikam village block-C.”

The NSCN-IM asserted that in no occasion had it “disturbed or caused harassment” to the “forest department” in performing its duties.

“NSCN as a responsible organization will never overstep its role to stoop that low to be a source of nuisance to the forest department and thus, the question of forest department having to ask permission from the NSCN should never arise.”

The NSCN-IM stated that such fabricated statements from the mouth of SCAN was something highly uncalled for and said it was “disheartening” that SCAN had raised a great hue and cry against something that does not exist at all.