Mokokchung, October 25 (MTNews): The NSCN (IM) has on Tuesday issued a statement in response to the recent allegations of the Senior Citizen Association of Nagaland (SCAN) on the Ntangki National Park issue and has said that it was unfortunate that SCAN had targeted them unfairly with their “misleading statement.”
The NSCN (IM) said that anything that matters national interest should not be allowed to escape the eyes of public scrutiny and that “no bewildering allegations will stand the test of time when the factual story will have to be unfolded before the citizens.”
The NSCN (IM) said that, given the magnitude of the issue, SCAN should have acted in a more responsible manner. “They should have chosen the path that would reflect their wisdom and temperament on the given issue rather than cry foul against NSCN bereft of valid justification,” it said.
It went on to say that the Ntangki National Park could have been “another story” today had it not been for the NSCN (IM) and counter-measures taken by it.
Saying that “the story of Ntangki National Park has to be given proper narrative to point out the truth of everything,” the NSCN (IM) stated that Ntangki National Park was never a topic of discussion during the course of Indo-Naga political talks as this has nothing to do with Naga political settlement. “Whether there is solution or not, it will remain protected and shall be preserved as Naga national property,” it maintained.
“It is on record that Ntangki National Park originally belongs to Old Bisumpui village. It has well defined boundaries. The critical need to protect the Ntangki forest and wildlife was taken up during the NSCN National Assembly, Gilgal Camp, 1996 and it was resolved to protect and preserve Ntangki forest as wildlife reserved forest. Accordingly, no newly set up villages were allowed to exist inside the Ntangki National Park,” it said.
Stating that Hebron is located outside the boundaries of Ntangki National Park, the NSCN (IM) added that Hebron originally belongs to Old Jalukie village. “The Jalukiekam village was established with the permission of Old Jalukie village. It is a recognized village with specific boundaries. The Hebron Camp is very much within the Jalukiekam village jurisdiction and outside the boundary of Ntangki National Park and not as recklessly claimed by SCAN,” it said. It also cited Ntangki National Park Director, T. Aochuba, who stated that there was no indication that NSCN (IM) had encroached upon Ntangki National Park.
It also said that Jalukiekam village authorities gave permission to NSCN (IM) to establish its Council Headquarters (CHQ), Hebron Camp with the condition that the land will be returned to the owner Jalukiekam village in the event of the group leaving the place.
“It was during the chief minister-ship of SC.Jamir that Hebron was also allocated as a ceasefire designated camp and he should be well aware that the camp has nothing to do with Ntangki National Park,” NSCN (IM) said.
“The Nagaland Forest department claimed to have acquired the land at present Hebron Camp from one Kachari who had been paying land taxes to old Jalukie village but how can a tenant sell the land?” it questioned.
“The forest colony/Hebron was never given to the forest department by its landowner Jalukiekam or Old Jalukie Village,” it asserted.
The NSCN (IM) also said that on no occasion had it disturbed or caused harassment to the forest department in performing its duties. “NSCN as a responsible organization will never overstep its role to stoop that low to be a source of nuisance to the forest department and thus, the question of forest department having to ask permission from the NSCN should never arise,” it stated, adding that “such fabricated statement from the mouth of SCAN is something highly uncalled for.”
Further, NSCN (IM) said that it was disheartening to see the SCAN raise a great hue and cry against something that does not exist at all. “The discerning people should be able to read between the lines how SCAN’s irresponsible utterance is done deliberately to provoke public outcry against the NSCN,” it stated.
“The irony is that it only goes to heap disgrace upon the very group wearing the crown of senior citizens association that comprises of Nagas that are attached with the highest echelon of Indian/Nagaland civil service,” it said.
The NSCN (IM) also said the irony is that SCAN claimed to be a nonpolitical organization but a former candidate of the Assembly Election is their spokesperson which nullifies their claim.