Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEP 28 (NPN): The Centre Chakhesang Youth Organisation (CCYO) on Monday staged a rally at Pfutsero and submitted a memorandum to the chief minister through the additional deputy commissioner (ADC), demanding withdrawal of the case against Vezhoto Hesuh, return of a seized Great Barbet and an independent inquiry into an alleged demand for Rs 1 lakh for his release.
Thousands of CCYO members and youth took part in the peaceful demonstration, which began with a brief gathering at Rukizu Junction. Carrying traditional spears and singing folk songs, the demonstrators marched to the ADC’s office, where they submitted the memorandum and gave the state government and department of forest, environment and climate change a seven-day ultimatum to address their demands.
According to CCYO, Hesuh was summoned by telephone to appear before the Wildlife Crime Control Unit of the Wildlife Division, Dimapur, on September 11 over photographs and videos uploaded on his Facebook page and was detained the same day. The posts included a video of Hesuh offering a sweet to a monkey in Assam, a video of a caged bird reportedly reared traditionally by a person at Porba village, and a photograph of Hesuh with a bird perched on his shoulder.
The organisation maintained that the animals were neither owned nor under Hesuh’s custody and alleged that the material did not depict cruelty, killing, capture or deliberate harm to wildlife. It further alleged that Rs 1 lakh was demanded for his release and that a case was registered after he refused to pay.
The memorandum also raised the seizure of a Great Barbet from Porba village on September 14. CCYO said the bird had reportedly been cared for by a young boy for six to seven years and that its removal had caused distress to the child and concern among villagers.
CCYO sought an impartial inquiry into Hesuh’s detention and the alleged monetary demand, withdrawal of the case, and immediate return of the bird to Porba. It also called for a government white paper on the application of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, to genuine Naga customary practices protected under Article 371A, as well as a review of its implementation with appropriate customary safeguards.
Addressing the rally, former president of the Chakhesang Students’ Union and Chakhesang Youth Organisation Kohima, Vevoyi WD Vadeo, described the demonstration as historic, saying the use of traditional spears and folk songs reflected the community’s cultural identity.
Vadeo alleged that the Wildlife (Protection) Act was being used against traditional practices and questioned the circumstances surrounding Hesuh’s detention and the alleged demand for money. He said Hesuh had posted videos involving wildlife but had neither hunted nor captured the animals, and questioned whether the action constituted legitimate law enforcement or an alleged attempt at extortion.
On the Great Barbet, Vadeo said the bird had become part of a minor’s life in Porba and represented the community’s cultural relationship with nature. While stressing that the organisation was not opposed to conservation, he said, “We are not against conservation; rather, our people are the best conservationists.”
Vadeo said Chakhesang communities had protected forests and wildlife through traditional practices long before the establishment of modern government departments. Referring to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly’s adoption of the Wildlife (Protection) Act in 1981, he called for its implementation to be reviewed in light of customary safeguards.
He also cited the Assembly’s 2023 resolution opposing the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act and urged the state government to address similar concerns arising from the application of wildlife legislation in Nagaland.
The organisation reiterated its support for conservation but maintained that wildlife protection should coexist with the customary practices and cultural traditions of local communities. It warned that failure to address its demands within seven days would prompt it to consider further action to assert the customary rights and interests of the Centre Chakhesang area.