GB stand on GBship

In a consultative meeting held on 15th November 2024, the Dimapur District GB Association, GB Union Dimapur (Sadar), Mokokchung District GB Association, Kohima District GB Association, Chumoukidema District GB Association & Wokha District GB Association deliberated the importance of GBship’s legacy and its legality as being the oldest institution established in the context of Naga society. In a press communique the GB leaders put forth the indisputable facts on how GB institution emerged and continued to exist as an entity.
The institution (origin) of Gaon Bura, which has survived all weathers since its inception from the days of British Indian rule. The first British Headquarter to administered Naga Hills was established at Samaguting (now Chumoukedima) in 1866, and later shifted its Headquarter to Kohima in 1879. The British administration introduced GB institution in the year 1886 under the Regulation Act of Assam Land & Revenue, when Nagaland was under the administration of Assam as a hill district.
The main objective of GB establishment (institution) is to represent the citizens in the rural/urban and the government administration in the form of an entity to execute activities and assist as a medium of link between the people and the government machineries. This tradition is efficiently continuing with appropriate standard norms for the GBs as agents representing the grassroot people in the daily affairs of law and order in the urban/rural areas in collaboration with the district administration, law enforcing agencies and other government departments.
State of Nagaland, attaining the status of statehood on 1st December 1963 along with a special constitutional provision rights for the Nagas under Article 371 (A) in the constitution of India. In this respect, apart from other special constitutional rights, the Customary Laws and Practices guaranteed in the clause precisely under the usage of the GBs as custodians in Nagaland state. Furthermore, the culture, tradition and customary practices of the Nagas will remain the same and will be undoubtably pertinent to the Naga indigenous people whether residing in town or village. Theoretically the importance of the rights of article 371 (A) are being articulated, however, in practical the rights are demeaned and made to become redundant by non-other than the Naga people itself. In the same way, GB institution being established in the late eighteen century whose functioning structures are incorporated with the customary laws and practices since ages must not be contemplated to change or abolish in any given conditions. Apart from normal duties and responsibilities, GBs play a crucial role in times of critical law and order situations notwithstanding its own safety in the interest of peaceful atmosphere and more importantly in protecting people’s life. Quoting the words of Hon’ble MLA Dr. Sukhato Sema, “I consider GBs as the source, protectors, interpreters and custodians of the Naga Customary Laws, Practices and Traditional values”.
With the passage of time every district has progress to township and are functioning under Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) system. Thus, this implies that the customary laws and practices are no more relevant and applicable to those Nagas residing in towns? Similarly, is it to be taken that GBship has become irrelevant and need do away just because the terminology is referred as ‘Gaon Burah’. In this issue, the stand of GB is that, since time immemorial every Naga indigenous citizen of Nagaland state be it in urban or rural areas are part and partial of Naga Culture, Tradition and Customary Laws and Practices which are inalienable identity of the Nagas. The profound customary laws and practices system of the Nagas itself bound both rural and urban GBs under one umbrella/nomenclature and are recognized constitutional custodians in all Naga inhabited areas of the state. In this context no individual or group on the pretext of modernization must not try to alter the legacy which is unsurpassed Naga identity and history.
On the other hand, it is to be made clear that only indigenous Naga GBs have the legitimacy to use the title GB and utilized Naga Customary Laws and Practices under Article 371 (A). On the other hand, other non-Naga communities settled in urban areas having colonies may be given the designation; Mukhiya or any appropriate designation by the government to represent their community/locality with proper guidelines/rules to be strictly adhered.
It will be a great folly in trying to negate or question the legitimacy of Naga customary laws and practices to become a non-applicability in any part of Nagaland is tantamount to total denial of Naga identity, ownership and existence. We cannot afford to be self-seeking on this issue and suffer in the greater nucleus matters related to the Naga legacy.
ACTIVITIES OF URBAN GB:

1. Urban GBs act as the main channel/agent of the district administration/Law Enforcing Agencies and all other government departments to maintain peaceful law and order, assist in implementation of government orders/notifications/programs so as to reach logical implementation.
2. Urban GBs are not part of any government funds allocation or have the implementation power for development nor exercise the powers of government authorities such as, Municipal Councils or Town Councils etc.
3. Urban GBs as per the order from district administration maintain the households census and keep the records of the citizens by which government agencies are able to function smoothly figuring the number of population and ratio of different communities residing in a particular vicinity.
4. Urban GBs assist the district administration and other department in identifying the citizens by issuing residential proof of their present home address basing on the household census record for further scrutiny from the concern higher authorities.
5. Any unfavorable situations arise the urban GBs take the responsibility to control the situation from escalation and report the matter to higher authorities. In other word, act as a medium of enforcing the rule of law and create peaceful atmosphere.
6. Urban GBs assist the law enforcing agencies in detection of people indulging in anti-social activities in and around its jurisdiction.
7. The role of urban GBs is mainly a means of bridging between the government and the people in the grassroot level with the proficiency, knowledge and experience of government rules led down.