NSF calls for protection of ancestral lands; cites Maova dispute

DIMAPUR, JUL 31 (NPN): Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has asserted that the Naga ancestral homeland was “neither a commodity for negotiation nor a territory open to unilateral alteration,” while expressing concern over what it described as repeated attempts by certain Kuki settler groups to challenge customary land rights and traditional authority within Naga areas.
NSF president Mteisuding and general secretary Kenilo Kent said the federation viewed the Naga homeland, customary institutions and traditional boundaries as inseparable from the identity, history and collective rights of the indigenous Naga people. NSF alleged that some Kuki individuals and groups residing in the traditional Naga homeland had recently disregarded customary understandings, challenged traditional authority and advanced claims inconsistent with long-standing agreements governing settlement and land use.
NSF maintained that residence within Naga ancestral lands had been extended through the goodwill and consent of traditional landowners, but alleged that such hospitality had been misconstrued as a transfer of ownership and used to question the historical rights of indigenous custodians.
The federation called upon all residents, irrespective of origin, to respect customary laws, traditional institutions and historical agreements governing peaceful coexistence, warning against unauthorised occupation, unilateral actions and disregard for traditional authority.
Referring to the recent Maova village land dispute, the federation said the incident underscored the consequences of the breakdown of long-standing land arrangements and customary understandings.
It said the violence, property damage and injuries reported during the dispute highlighted the need to respect historical agreements and customary laws, cautioning that such incidents should not recur. NSF also urged the state government and competent authorities to uphold and protect customary land tenure, indigenous rights and historical agreements in both letter and spirit.
Reiterating that protecting indigenous ancestral lands remained a “sacred responsibility,” the NSF affirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence based on mutual respect, observance of customary law and recognition of the historical rights of indigenous landowners.
Further, NSF warned that Naga people’s patience and hospitality should not be mistaken for weakness, adding that any recurrence of actions undermining customary institutions would not be tolerated.