Gaon Bura Union Dimapur (Sadar) Saturday registered its strong opposition to the proposal to change the nomenclature of Gaon Buras (GBs) and their role in urban areas.
In a press statement, GBUD president MY Ngullie, vice president W Kholie Kapfo and general secretary T Onen Jamir said that the GBs establishment, which came into being even before the statehood, was the oldest institution in existence.
The union also said that GBs were custodians of Naga customary laws, practices and traditions, which was acknowledged by the British as “one of the best unwritten forms of democracy system.”
GBUD pointed out that the “formation principality of statehood is based on Article 371 (A) becoming a special provision act in the constitution of India.” It said that the state and Nagas had been enjoying special privilege because of the Act that protected the Naga Customary practices recognized by Indian law.
In this regard, the union questioned what prompted the proposal of GBs’ nomenclature change and the need to look into their role in urban areas “after years of enjoying the fruits of this inalienable unique procedure”?
The union pointed out that the ethos, which defined the existence of Nagas, would remain the same, regardless of whether it was in urban or rural area. It further cautioned that the “consequences of segregation structure” would be detrimental and lead to disparity in the socio-culture fabric of Naga society “becoming a lost race without identity.”
The GB’s union has, therefore, urged the state government to comprehend the historical fact of GBship and “renounce the contemplation of changing the nomenclature and the role of GBs in urban areas”.