The Global Naga Forum (GNF) has expressed serious concern over the proposed installation of an Indian Air Force mountain radar system in Pfutsero under the jurisdiction of the Chakhesang area, stating that the issue must be viewed beyond its technical scope.
In a public statement issued on April 4, the GNF acknowledged that the proposed system is “not a weapon system but a surveillance installation intended to monitor airspace and strengthen India’s defence preparedness,” and may not pose an immediate danger to lives. However, it cautioned that “reducing this issue to a mere technical deployment would be a grave mistake.”
The GNF said the implications are “far-reaching” and must be understood in their full political, social, and historical context. It pointed out that such installations often lead to restricted land access, increased military presence, and the development of supporting infrastructure. “Most importantly, the area will be drawn into India’s strategic defence grid,” it stated, adding that once that happens, “the land will no longer just be a village asset” but part of a larger military framework with implications that go far beyond what is being told to the people today.
The GNF further stated that the move is part of India’s broader strategy to strengthen its defence posture in response to China and Pakistan, with Nagaland being positioned within that framework due to its geography. “But the question before us is not about India’s security concerns alone. The real question is about the rights, the future, and the consent of the Naga people,” it said.
Referring to Article 371A, the GNF maintained that land and its resources belong to the Nagas and described the provision as “a constitutional safeguard rooted in our history and political reality.” It asserted that no authority, including the Ministry of Defence, has the right to take or use land in Nagaland without the knowledge, consent, and involvement of the rightful owners and the community.
The statement also noted that such processes often involve indirect engagement. “The Centre rarely comes directly. It moves through the State Government, through agencies, and through intermediaries. There will be negotiations and pressure. There will be financial offers and compensation packages designed to make the arrangement appear beneficial and attractive,” it said.
The GNF warned that “this is where the real danger lies for the Nagas. It is not in the Radar itself but in how decisions are made,” cautioning against individual landowners entering into agreements driven by immediate financial gain without considering long-term irreversible consequences.
“What may appear today as an opportunity may become a burden for future generations,” the GNF said, adding that land committed to such frameworks does not easily return to its original character or control.
The GNF made a direct appeal to landowners in the Chakhesang community to exercise restraint and responsibility, stating that the issue “should not be treated as a private transaction” but as one concerning the collective future. It stressed that decisions of this nature must arise from “collective wisdom and not individual compulsion.”
Calling for wider engagement, the GNF urged tribal apex bodies, village councils, and civil society organizations to intervene with clarity and firmness. It advocated for open discussion, full understanding, and a united position.
“If necessary, there should be intervention to prevent any sale or leasing of land for such purposes unless it is thoroughly discussed and agreed upon by the community as a whole,” the GNF opined.
The GNF also reiterated that it has consistently appealed to the State Government, student bodies and tribal Hohos to pursue the relocation of Assam Rifles camps from the heart of towns across all Naga areas, stating that civilian spaces should not be gradually overtaken by expanding military presence. It said the present issue must be viewed in the same spirit.
“The question before us is larger than a single project. It is about safeguarding our land, our rights, and our collective future,” the statement said, adding that the responsibility lies with all sections to act with foresight and unity.