Kohima Lotha Hoho (KLH) Staurday said that the state government’s move to establish Nagaland State Development Zone (NSDZ) along foothill areas was a negation of to article 371(A) of the constitution.
The KLH’s stand followed a 10-point resolution adopted after a discussion on the proposed NSDZ. The resolution was signed by KLH chairman Nchumbemo Tungoe, general secretary Thunglamo Ovung.
KLH also said the proposed NSDZ undermined Naga customary practices and values of life in relation to their habitation, ownership of land and its resources and their inalienable co-existence with their resources.
Any attempt to disrupt “ancestral heritage” would simply be disastrous for Nagas and their posterity, said the resolution.
KLH argued that NSDZ would not only deprive Nagas of their land and resources but it would also render them landless labourers in their own land.
Taking their land for permanent settlement to non-Nagas from across the sub-continent or the world as proposed in the NSDZ was an “invasion of their homeland and deprivation of human rights”, said KLH.
The hoho asserted that any development in Nagaland should be an opportunity for Naga educated unemployed and entrepreneurs and not of non-Nagas.
KLH said Nagaland Legislative Assembly was not mandated to legislate “anti-people laws” but to safeguard Naga interests such as Ladaigarh Government Primary school in Longleng, which is well within Nagaland, now occupied by Assam Police and Changpang oil field inaugurated in 1973 by then Geology & Mining Minister and former chief minister J.B Jasokie now taken by Assam and renamed as Borhola to name a few.
The hoho pointed out that there were some vested interests attempting to usurp the Naga people of their land and its resources.
Before initiation of any development programmes on the border areas, the hoho demanded immediate revocation of the 1972 border agreement which was a total sell out of Naga’s land to Assam and immediate restoration of the ancestral land.
KLH also resolved to go to any extent and support all right thinking Nagas/organizations and affected landowners to oppose the proposed NSDZ.
The hoho said it would not allow its implementation in the Lotha homeland until the demand for the restoration of land to the rightful owners forcefully occupied by Assam was met.
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