Decries delay in High Court funding
Nagaland chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio on Saturday stressed the enduring relevance of Naga customary courts and traditional justice systems, emphasizing that they continue to serve as a vital, community-respected mechanism for resolving disputes at the grassroots level.
He said this while addressing the tree plantation programme organised by the High Court Bar Association (HCBA) at the new High Court complex site in Kohima.
Speaking on the dual themes of grassroots justice and environmental stewardship, Dr. Rio said that the customary courts of Nagaland, shaped by the wisdom of Naga forefathers, continue to serve as a vital and respected avenue for resolving disputes. He asserted that these traditional mechanisms are not only efficient and community-rooted, but they also promote reconciliation rather than punishment.
Maintaining that customary law is inclusive, rooted in tradition, and respected by the community, Rio said: “These courts deliver quick judgments under community pressure and promote reconciliation, not prolonging conflicts. That’s why they’ve survived and remain effective to this day.”
Dr. Rio called for a harmonious coexistence between formal judicial mechanisms and customary courts, warning that excessive reliance on the formal legal system could alienate large sections of the rural population due to its complex procedures and expenses.
“If we look only to the courts, many villagers may lose access to justice due to complex procedures and costs,” he said, citing incidents where even minor road accidents across the Assam border led to significant hardships for Nagas.
Calling on the legal fraternity to maintain an open and inclusive mindset, the chief minister stressed that the formal judicial system and Naga customary courts need not exist in opposition, but can instead complement each other.
“Customary courts deliver justice in ways that are understood, accepted and honoured by the community,” he added, emphasizing that the spirit of customary justice is focused on healing rather than litigation.
Quoting Micah 6:8– “To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God”– Dr. Rio said that true justice must reflect fairness, compassion, and humility. If justice is denied to people, we cannot expect peace and cooperation. Leaders must strive for balance between modern law and traditional wisdom,” he added.
Highlighting constitutional safeguards like Article 371(A) and the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873, Rio said these provisions remain crucial in protecting Naga customs, traditions, and religious practices.
“These are the foundations that allow our identity and way of life to be preserved even within the Indian legal framework,” he noted.
However, Rio expressed deep disappointment over the delay in establishing a separate High Court for Nagaland, blaming prolonged central apathy despite persistent appeals. Rio said that while states like Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Manipur have received full financial support, Nagaland was yet to receive any grant.
The chief minister revealed that Nagaland has already spent over Rs. 240 crore from its limited state resources on the new High Court complex, yet still require another Rs. 300 crore to fully complete and furnish the complex.
Despite repeated appeals to the Ministry of Law and Justice, Home Minister, Chief Justice of India, and the Bar Council, Rio said that Centre has not responded positively. “It is unfortunate, but we will continue to pursue what is rightfully due to the people of Nagaland,” he said.
To ensure continuity of justice delivery, the government has converted the former Chief Minister’s residence into temporary accommodation for the Chief Justice and allotted other government quarters for judges. Additional courtrooms have also been created at the old complex.
“Even if this complex isn’t complete, we must not allow justice to stall. We must ensure that justice is delivered both letter and spirit — through formal courts and the values of our customary systems,” Rio said.
Using the occasion of the tree plantation drive, Dr. Rio made a strong call for sustainable environmental practices among government departments and the general public, particularly the police battalions. “With the manpower they have, police units can transform their compounds into models of cleanliness and greenery,” he said.
He further noted that plantation and care of the environment should not be symbolic but intentional and technical. Highlighting the importance of timing, he remarked that spring is the most suitable season for planting, and stressed that each tree planted today holds long-term ecological value for future generations.
Quoting a Chinese proverb — “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second-best time is now” — Rio reminded those present of the long-term consequences of environmental neglect. He also invoked Native American wisdom, saying, “Only when the last tree has been cut and the last fish caught will we realise that money cannot be eaten.”
Advisor for Law & Justice T.N. Manen, and Justice Kakheto Sema of the Gauhati High Court also addressed the gathering, reiterating the importance of both environmental preservation and the need for an empowered state judiciary.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by HCBA secretary Joshua Sheqi, with an invocation pronounced by A. Zho. Opening remarks and introductions were made by C.T. Jamir, Senior Advocate and president of the HCBA.