Raising public awareness on land scams and property frauds in Nagaland

Land is not just property, it is someone’s life savings, a legacy, a future for their family. But in Nagaland today, land scams and property frauds have become so rampant that we must confront a painful question, Why is our system allowing this to happen?
We hear these stories far too often, honest citizens buying land in good faith, only to later discover that the seller was unauthorized, the documents were forged, or worse, the same plot was sold to multiple buyers. Shockingly, these so-called “dealers” continue to draft and notarize sale deeds with impunity, despite having no legal authority to represent the landowner. This is a serious offence. Yet the most disturbing part is not just the crime itself, but the complete silence of the system. The fraudsters walk free. The victims, who poured in their life savings are left to suffer, trapped in legal and financial chaos.
Why does this continue? Simply put, because our system is weak, unaccountable, and disturbingly tolerant of these crimes. Police action is almost non-existent. Filing an FIR feels like a formality with no follow-up, no investigation, no justice. In some cases, it even seems as if the police protect the perpetrators instead of the victims. Meanwhile, legal proceedings drag on for years, draining the strength, finances, and hope of those seeking justice. There are no strict or time-bound punishments to serve as a deterrent, so the fraudsters grow bolder.
Even more worrying is the role of landowners. Many do not handle transactions directly. Instead, they appoint brokers or “agents,” often without proper documentation or due diligence. These brokers with no legal mandate sell land illegally, forge papers, and collect huge sums from unsuspecting buyers using the landowner’s name.
And when fraud surfaces, the landowner simply claims ignorance, while the entire burden falls on the buyer who acted in good faith. Is this justice? It appears landowners have carved out a loophole to escape scrutiny. By hiring middlemen, they position themselves to deny all involvement if things go wrong. Whether they profit from it or not, the fact remains that they behave as though they are entitled to walk away untouched, without facing accountability or legal consequences. This mindset needs to be challenged and changed.
The legal system, instead of protecting victims, has become a tool for delay and denial. There are countless cases of illegal resales, forged documents, and criminal breaches of trust where not a single arrest has been made.
No public warning. No accountability. Is our law asleep? Or are we waiting for more people to lose everything before we act?
The silence of right-thinking citizens only fuels the confidence of fraudsters. We need awareness, yes but more than that, we need public outrage. Land fraud is not just a personal misfortune. It is a systemic failure, and unless we speak up and demand change, it will continue.
What must be done?
 Land scams must be treated as serious criminal offences, with swift, non-bailable punishments.
 Landowners who appoint brokers without proper legal authorization must be held accountable.
 Fast-track courts must be set up to resolve land fraud cases within a fixed timeframe.
 Repeat offenders must be publicly listed so they cannot continue defrauding others in silence.
The bitter truth is this, our system protects fraudsters more than it protects victims. It allows criminals to destroy lives and walk freely among us, without fear or remorse.
It’s time to name them, shame them, and demand accountability. Let us raise our voices not just for ourselves, but for every citizen who deserves protection under the law. Let us demand that our police, legal institutions, and government stop turning a blind eye and take real action.
Benrilo Shiti