The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has asserted that the ancestral homeland of the indigenous Naga people is “neither a commodity for negotiation nor a territory open to unilateral alteration”, while expressing concern over what it described as recent attempts by certain Kuki settler groups to disregard customary understandings and challenge traditional authority.
In a communique, the NSF said the Naga homeland, customary institutions and traditional boundaries were “sacred inheritances preserved through generations” and remained inseparable from the identity, history and collective rights of the indigenous Naga people.
The Federation said it was concerned over “disturbing recurrences of attempts by some Kuki individuals and groups to disregard customary understandings, challenge traditional authority and advance claims inconsistent with long-established agreements governing settlement and land use.”
The NSF further stated that the privilege of residence within indigenous Naga ancestral lands had been extended through the “goodwill, hospitality and consent of the traditional landowners”.
However, it alleged that this hospitality had been “misconstrued as transfer of ownership and interpreted as an invitation to question the historical rights of the indigenous custodians.”
The Federation called upon all residents, irrespective of origin, to honour customary laws, traditional institutions and historical agreements governing coexistence in the Naga homeland.
“Attempts to undermine these foundations, whether through unauthorized occupation, unilateral actions and disregard for traditional authority, have, on few recent incidents, betrayed this very trust which has been painstakingly built over decades,” the NSF said.
The student body also urged the Naga people to “remain vigilant, united and unwavering” in safeguarding their collective ancestral heritage, stating that the defence of indigenous rights was not merely a question of territory but also involved preserving “identity, history, culture and the customary institutions that have sustained the Naga people through generations.”
The NSF called upon the Government of Nagaland and competent authorities to ensure that historical agreements, customary land tenure and indigenous rights were “upheld, in letter and in spirit, and protected under the law.”
Maova dispute cited
The Federation referred to the events surrounding the Maova village land dispute as a “solemn reminder” of the consequences that could arise when long-standing land arrangements and customary understandings break down.
“The violence, destruction of property and injuries suffered by numerous individuals highlights the lack of respect for historical agreements and adherence to the customs and laws of the land,” the NSF said.
The Federation strictly cautioned that such incidents should not be repeated and said every resident of the Naga homeland had a responsibility to respect customary institutions and the law of the land.
“The Naga peoples’ patience, hospitality and call for peace must never be undermined for weakness,” it said, adding that “any recurrence of such acts will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”
Despite the strong warning, the NSF reiterated its commitment to peaceful coexistence, saying such coexistence must be founded upon “mutual respect, observance of customary law and recognition of the historical rights of the indigenous landowners.”
The communique was signed by NSF president Mteisuding and general secretary Kenilo Kent.