Six district GB Associations, GBUD reaffirm relevance of GB institution

Six District GB Associations– Dimapur, Kohima, Tseminyu, Chümoukedima, Mokokchung, and Wokha– and GB Union Dimapur (Sadar) have reiterated the continued relevance and constitutional authority of the Gaon Burah (GB) institution in both rural and urban areas.
In a joint statement, presidents of Dimapur District GB Association president Hokuto Zhimomi; Kohima District GB Association Zakie Gwire; Chümoukedima District GB Association Rokovitso Kuotsu; Tseminyu District GB Association Kehoga Kent; Mokokchung District GB Association Along Jamir; Wokha District GB Association Santsuthung Kikon and GB Union Dimapur Sadar W. Kholie Kapfo said that the during an emergency consultative meeting held recently, the bodies thoroughly deliberated on the institution of GB and its nomenclature, functions, and role..
The statement highlighted the historical significance of the GB institution, tracing its roots to the British Indian administration. They said that the GB system was formally introduced in 1886 under the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Act, when the Naga Hills were still administered under the province of Assam. Since its inception, they said the institution of Gaon Burah, or village chief/headman, has functioned as a vital intermediary between the government and the people.
The primary objective of the GB system, the associations explained, is to represent citizens—whether in rural or urban settings—and to assist in executing administrative tasks and ensuring grassroots governance. GBs act as a link between the community and the state machinery, playing a key role in maintaining law and order, supporting law enforcement agencies, and coordinating with various government departments in matters concerning public interest.
In the Naga context, the GB institution holds not only administrative significance but also constitutional recognition. The statement underscored that the GBs are legal entities functioning under the framework of Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India, which protects and empowers Naga customary laws and practices. As such, they said GBs serve as Constitutional Custodians of Naga customary courts and legal traditions in both towns and villages.
“The culture, tradition, and customary practices of the Nagas will remain the same and will be undoubtedly pertinent to indigenous Nagas, whether residing in town or village,” they affirmed.
They further stated that the institution, which has been intertwined with customary law since the late eighteenth century, must not be undermined or abolished under any circumstances.
The associations also expressed deep concern over the government’s move to temporarily keep in abeyance the appointment of GBs in towns, following a directive issued by the Commissioner of Nagaland dated December 6, 2023. They said the suspension has created a governance vacuum in urban areas, leaving the public without local representatives to liaise with the administration and support in maintaining law and order.
The statement explained that GBs serve as crucial agents of the district administration by representing local interests, reporting ground realities, and identifying genuine indigenous and non-indigenous residents in their jurisdictions. Following the abeyance order, they said anti-social elements have taken advantage of the situation and the public were at the receiving end. “If this trend continues, there will be lawlessness, making law and order situation derision,” they cautioned.
The GB bodies pointed out that while every district has progressed to township status and now functions under the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) system, this should not be interpreted as rendering customary laws and practices obsolete or irrelevant to Nagas residing in towns.
They questioned whether this transition to urban governance frameworks should mean that the institution of GBs is now redundant, simply because of the term ‘Gaon Burah’, traditionally referring to village heads.
The statement asserted that since time immemorial, every indigenous Naga citizen—whether living in rural or urban areas—has been inherently tied to Naga culture, tradition, and customary laws. These practices, the GBs said, were inalienable and form the very foundation of Naga identity.
The associations further emphasized that the profound customary system of the Nagas binds both rural and urban GBs under one umbrella, recognizing them as constitutionally authorized custodians of customary law across all Naga-inhabited areas in the state.
Meanwhile, the bodies unanimously reiterated their collective stand to support the Nagaland GB Federation on the points raised and the press statement made on May 17, 2025.