Forest Amendment Act no threat: Rio

State chief minister Neiphiu Rio said the contentious Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 posed no threat to the state since it had the cover of Article 371(A).

Speaking on the sideline of inauguration of CCTVs at Kohima on Wednesday, Rio pointed out that hardly 5% of the forest belonged to the government, while the rest 95% belonged to individuals or communities. Therefore, he said the government did not feel that the Act was a threat. He, however mentioned that the government would conduct further studies and that it had no reaction right now.

On NPF asking for convening a special Assembly session to reject the amendment Act, Rio said anybody could raise the issue and that this could be discussed.