The Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF) has opposed the proposed installation of an Indian Air Force mountain radar system in Pfutsero under Phek district, citing concerns over community rights, environment, and livelihood.
In a press statement, the CYF said it stands by the decision of the Chakhesang Public OrganizationAMP to uphold customary land ownership protected under Article 371 (A) of the Constitution, and that it “will not tolerate any infringement of the same.” It also questioned the Government of Nagaland for not conducting proper and transparent consultations with the community.
The CYF stated that Pfutsero is among the most densely populated towns in the district and warned that the installation would adversely affect residents. It also pointed out that the proposed site is an emerging tourist destination supporting local youth livelihoods, adding that it “will not allow the economic lifeline of the youths to be chopped.”
Raising environmental concerns, the CYF stated that the Chakhesang community are culturally connected to the nature around them, and has also officially resolved to protect its biodiversity since the year 2000. “With a deep sense of awareness on the fact that the community is also heavily dependent on them, the community is genuinely committed to the preservation and conservation of their local ecosystem, and will not tolerate any rampant disturbance of the forests and wildlife which they’ve been carefully protecting for generations,” the CYF stated.
The CYF also stated that farmers are the cornerstone of the Chakhesangs, and a vast majority of the population depends directly on farming for survival. “The produce from the district, including a huge amount from Pfutsero area itself supplies to the rest of the state and beyond. The selected location is surrounded by organic farmland which will be impacted,” it said.
The statement also flagged water scarcity in the area, cautioning that the project could disrupt supply and risk contamination of natural sources.
“As a mountainous area, the town suffers from scarcity of water, and largely depends on ground water and natural springs for consumption. The radar system will not only affect the equal distribution of water to the locals, but can also pollute the very water they consume, and the very soil where organic farmland rests,” the CYF stated.
While acknowledging national security needs, the CYF said Phek district, where Pfutsero is located, does not share any international boundary and poses no direct foreign threat.
“The CYF, while acknowledging the importance of national security strongly feels that it should not come at the expense of the local population, and the constitutional rights of the people must be respected,” it said.
It urged the Government of Nagaland and the concerned authorities to relocate the said radar installation project from Phek district, adding that “any forceful execution of the project shall be dealt with the strongest resistance and opposition.”