Staff Reporter
Rising People’s Party (RPP) president Joel Naga has argued that non-Nagas, even if they possess indigenous certificates, cannot be appointed as gaon buras (GBs), since they(GBs)are regarded as custodians of Naga customary laws.
Addressing a press conference at Emerald Inn here Saturday, Joel recalled that the British, prior to India’s independence, had designated khel leaders and village chiefs as GBs. He claimed that they continued to serve as custodians of Naga customary laws and traditions.
After Nagaland statehood, the Village Council Act came into being with GBs as part of the council, and empowered them with powers rooted in Naga customary laws, he said.
He declared that only a Naga GB could be a custodian of Naga customary laws and traditions, questioning how a non-Naga could be regarded as a custodian. Regarding the continued applicability of GB titles in Dimapur, Joel contended that as a diverse urban centre encompassing various Naga tribes, one tribe’s customary law might not be universally applicable, and hence said he felt that there should be no GB in Dimapur, or other urban areas.
He alleged that GBs in Dimapur were no longer the custodians of Naga customary laws and traditions since they are carrying out the tasks of the district administration.
He insisted that urban areas with their distinct administrative and policing structures should not be governed by Naga customary laws, clarifying that this was his personal viewpoint and that he was open to discussion, “grounded in India’s democratic framework and his Naga identity.”
“I am not defaming the GBs, but only calling for a debate,” he stated, suggesting coming up with a different name in lieu of GB for Dimapur. He stated that the state government should speak up and issue a proper statement on the matter, insisting that as long as the term GB was applicable in Dimapur, only a Naga could be appointed such as in New Market.
Referring to the controversy surrounding New Market GB Abdul Kayum Talukdar, the RPP president expressed surprise at the show-cause notice issued by Dimapur District GB Association (DDGBA) and questioned the shift in focus. He highlighted Talukdar’s non-indigenous status while overseeing Naga customary laws and traditions.
He pointed that the issue was about New Market GB, who was a non-indigenous person but looking after Naga customary laws and tradition.
Citing an interview of DDGBA president acknowledging Talukdar as non-indigenous, he called for accountability and demanded that if Talukdar was indeed non-indigenous, he should be disqualified from GB union membership and served a show cause notice. He wanted to know whether DDGBA had carried out this task.
Further, he urged for official communication to the Dimapur district administration affirming Talukdar’s non-indigenous status, and a re-evaluation of DDGBA’s stance.
Joel also questioned if DDGBA was protecting Talukdar, insisting that the association should tender an apology to the Naga people for having diluted the issue.
He highlighted concerns over potential repercussions stemming from the illegal immigration.
He pointed to instances such as Talukdar’s purported role as a GB potentially enabling individuals to obtain various official documents such as AADHAAR cards, trade licences, driving licences, bank accounts, and indigenous and ST certificates, leading to automatic Indian citizenship. He pointed out that this underscored the need for robust checks and balances within Nagaland’s administrative processes.
“There was no system checks and balances in Nagaland,” he alleged, accusing the district administration of being equally culpable for issuing certificates to people of “doubtful ancestors.”
He announced plans to file Right To Information (RTI) applications against several government offices, including district administration, statistical offices, district transport offices, and Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC).
Claiming that the RPP would play with facts and figures, and come out with the findings, he maintained that the RTI applications were aimed at scrutinising the issuance of residence certificates in Dimapur in the past 10 years and, based on these certificates, furnish how many birth certificates, trade licences and driving licences were issued to outsiders.
Responding to the show-cause notice, Joel cited the technical invalidity of the notice. He also underscored the democratic right to express opinions without fear of retribution, except in cases of defamation or communal disharmony.
“It I have defamed the GBs or if my words have brought about communal disharmony, then I can be taken to the court, file an FIR against me and arrested,” he declared, adding that question of adhering to DDGBA’s show-cause did not arise.
Supplementing this, RPP vice-president Vitho Zao, who too was present at the press conference, opined that the DDGBA might not have fully grasped the meaning of a show-cause notice, pointed out that this was served by an employer to an employee.
He also clarified that the party did not receive any official or written notice, apart from was published in print and social media, terming it a “non-issue”.
He also expressed concern over the necessity to seek permissions from organisations, unions and associations to share one’s personal opinion, wondering its impact on Nagas’ progress.
He remarked “We are living in a democratic country where one can express his or her opinion freely, and not a dictatorial country where freedom of expression was condemned and compressed”.
On allegations of misusing crowd-funding for Foothill Road construction, Zao clarified that Rs 2,08,100 was collected with a 4% service charge. After deduction, the RPP retained Rs 1,96,638.40.
He revealed that the RPP had plans for utilising the fund for construction of waiting sheds and toilets once road works concluded. He also disclosed that contributions ranged from Rs 2 to Rs. 10,000, with significant donations originating from outside Nagaland.
He reminded the media that the RPP had published a press statement requesting opinions from public on how to utilise the money, though no suggestion was received to date.
In his address, RPP youth wing president Zhokhoi Chuzho remarked it was unbecoming for the DDGBA to serve a show-cause notice to someone who expressed his opinion.