The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) on Monday decried the ‘No Objection Certificate’ supposedly issued by Lt Gen Retd VS Atem-VC, Deputy Ato Kilonser of NSCN (I-M) on August 24 to Nehemiah Panmei reportedly on behalf of a group of affected Landowners for the establishment of Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuary.
ZUF Media Cell, in a release, stated that an authorisation letter was allegedly served to Lungchaibi Gonmei Kilonser, Zeilad Region to deal with the matter of the development of Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuary and for assessing and monitoring the exploration of seismic survey (D-2 & D-3 oil reserve) in Zeilad Region.
It condemned the same, stating that the matter is a challenge to the indigenous community, overlooking their property rights, particularly the whole Zeliangrong kindred people disrespecting their ancestral land ownership and the political account of Zeliangrong’s historical struggle.
The issuance of a ‘No Objection Certificate’ by NSCN (I-M) for the implementation of a wildlife sanctuary in Nagas’ land belonging to Zeliangrong ancestral home is an attempt to deprive the citizens of the land rights and resources, it accused.
‘Such undue interference of NSCN (I-M) in the Zeliangrong traditional property is a direct challenge and an act of adverse policy against the interest of the Zeliangrong kindred people. It could be construed to incite civil war within and among the Nagas’, ZUF stated.
It decried such acts allegedly demeaning the Naga national politics and its status and termed it as deplorable and contemptuous. It asserted that no group of few villages or individuals can sell out the common property of the whole community or for that matter, a part of Nagas’ land for short-term financial gain or in the name of preserving the environment in any part of the region be it in Nagaland, Manipur or Assam.
It further mentioned that an authorisation letter served to Luangchaibi Gonmei to monitor seismic data operation for oil exploration and natural resource exploitation in Zeliangrong areas, and decried the same stating that it is adding fuel to the fire that has inflamed the community in the recent past.
It added that the matter was withdrawn however the consequences have impacted threats to the survival of the community. Reigniting the issue will have far-flung ramifications to the extent of flaring war within the Nagas, it maintained.
It urged the front to nullify the ‘No Objection Certificate’ and authorisation letter in the interest of the community and people concerned. It also appealed to the concerned government to withdraw the planned program and consult alternative ideas to preserve and promote community forest and declare an Eco-friendly Zone based on the interest and rights of the community.
ZUF has also warned the perpetrators to baar responsibility for any untoward eventually, should they fail to comply with the caution, it stated.
