Mokokchung, 13 November (MTNews): Following the refusal to participate in the meeting on Nagaland Special Development Zone (NSDZs) by the CSOs in Bhandari, Wokha on 11 November as reported in this newspaper, the Lotha Hoho has once again publicly reaffirmed their persistent refusal to participate in the Nagaland Special Development Zone (NSDZ) program. This was made known through a press statement issued by the Lotha Hoho today, 13 February.
Related News: Bhandari CSOs refuse to participate in meeting on Nagaland Special Development Zone
The Lotha Hoho stated that they have initially communicated this decision to the Nagaland state government through the Chief Secretary via a resolution dated 9 October 2017, specifically addressing the ancestral lands within Wokha District and added that “NSDZ matter is already a closed chapter for the Wokha district.”
The LH said that the earlier resolution for non-participation in the NSDZ initiative was reaffirmed by the Lotha organizations at Bhandari on 11 November 2023. In light of this, a directive has been issued to all concerned parties, emphasizing that no Lotha organization or individual will engage in any NSDZ-related meetings initiated by the Nagaland state government.
Further, the Lotha Hoho said that it has come to its knowledge that the Nagaland State government has directed the Department of Land Records and Survey to carry out a detailed survey and mapping of the western Wokha district foothill area. In response to this, the Lotha Hoho have directed all Lotha organizations, including village authorities, not to allow any NSDZ-related survey or other activities within their respective jurisdictions. “Any NSDZ related activity to be prevented by taking appropriate action by the concerned local organization and village authority,” the Lotha Hoho stated.
Furthermore, the Hoho emphasized that any attempt to initiate NSDZ-related activities within Wokha district “will be doing so at his/her/their own risk.”
It also cautioned that “the Lotha Hoho or any other unit Lotha organization will not be responsible for any consequence that may arise in the course of taking preventive action.”