DNSU warns of action against benami land deals

DIMAPUR, JUN 9 (NPN): Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has expressed serious concern over the rising trend of indigenous individuals allegedly lending their names to enable non-indigenous and non-Nagas to acquire land.
DNSU through its media and publicity cell said such proxy arrangements and benami transactions undermined protective land laws and posed a grave threat to the rights, security, and future of indigenous Nagas.
Stating that land was not merely a commodity, DNSU said it represented the identity, history, culture and inheritance of the Naga people. The union maintained that such transactions undermined the intent of protective laws, including provisions of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873, and other relevant land regulations.
DNSU described such acts as a “direct assault” on the collective interests of the indigenous community and cautioned that continued proxy ownership would lead to the gradual alienation of ancestral lands from future generations.
The union also warned that it would not remain silent and would hold accountable through all legal and democratic means anyone found involved in such illegal transactions, including brokers and middlemen.
DNSU appealed to village councils, colony authorities, GBs, and all stakeholders to exercise strict vigilance in land dealings.
It further called for proper verification of ownership, transfers, and no objection certificates (NOCs). DNSU appealed for immediate reporting of any suspected proxy transactions to authorities.
The union urged the district administration and revenue authorities to thoroughly investigate alleged benami land transactions involving individuals including Nirmal Jain, Girdharlal Sharma, and others, and to take strict action against violators.
DNSU also called upon the public to remain alert against vested interests trying to exploit the situation and reiterated its commitment to cooperate with the district administration and law enforcement agencies for a fair and transparent probe.
“The protection of our land is the protection of our identity, our future, and our collective rights,” the union said and urged all responsible citizens to stand united in defending indigenous land.