Justice Serto flags gaps in rights protection at Human Rights seminar in Kohima
Nagaland State Human Rights Commission (NSHRC) Chairman, Justice (Retd.) Songkhupchung Serto, has urged the state government to revise the minimum wages for workers, pointing out that Nagaland remains the only Northeastern state yet to update its rates in the past five years. He also called for urgent improvements in jail infrastructure and medical facilities across the state.
Speaking at a one-day seminar on ”Human Rights and Challenges in Nagaland” organized by the Northeast Support Centre and Helpline–Northeast Law Network in collaboration with the NSHRC at the DPDB Conference Hall, Kohima, Justice Serto highlighted several issues taken up by the Commission, including cases of custodial deaths, lack of manpower in hospitals, and the absence of organ transplantation facilities.
Justice Serto informed that in the last two years, the Commission has conducted field visits to assess the condition of medical hospitals, public schools, and the public distribution system, besides inquiring into cases of atrocities committed by state authorities. These assessments have led to recommendations for improvement in infrastructure, manpower, medicine supply, and diagnostic facilities.
He further disclosed that the Commission took up a custodial death case in Chümoukedima, recommending compensation of ¹ 5 lakh to the victim’s family, which has since been paid. The Commission also issued recommendations for upgrading jail infrastructure across the state.
On the medical front, he revealed that the NSHRC has recommended the creation of facilities in the state under the Organ Transplantation Act to enable life-saving procedures. “The State Government has taken positive steps on the matter, and we are hopeful that the facilities will be available soon,” he said.
Urging participants to “make use of the Commissions and institutions for redressal of their rights,” Justice Serto said the NSHRC’s work aims to bridge the gap between human rights awareness and real access to justice.
Delivering a presentation on human rights violations faced by Northeastern communities in metropolitan cities, Advocate Dr. Alana Golmei, General Secretary of NESCH, said that despite being Indian citizens, people from the Northeast continue to face racial discrimination, harassment, and exploitation in major cities like Delhi.
She detailed incidents of racial abuse, sexual assault, non-payment of salaries, and discrimination in educational institutions, workplaces, and rental accommodations. “Many are also lured to cities with false promises of education or jobs, only to end up in the hands of traffickers,” she said. Dr. Golmei noted that NESCH has intervened in several such cases and continues to push for structural reforms to combat discrimination.
Advocate K. Arkha Achumi of NESCH–NELN Nagaland Office, speaking on ”Land Acquisition in Nagaland: Laws and Remedies,” stressed that the issue of land rights has gained urgency due to the rapid pace of developmental activities.
He pointed out that the Nagaland Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1965 remains the state’s primary law for acquiring land for public purposes, while the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, enacted by the Union, has yet to be adopted in the state.
Achumi noted that the 1965 Act is an adaptation of the colonial-era 1894 Land Acquisition Act, which “favoured the state and provided meagre compensation.” He said adopting the 2013 Act would “replace this antiquated framework with a modern, pro-people law that ensures higher compensation and mandatory rehabilitation and resettlement provisions.”
Speaking on behalf of the victims’ families of the Oting incident, S Pangai Konyak recounted the events as a case of extra-judicial killing and called for “truth, justice, and recognition of human dignity.” He said, “Peace cannot exist without justice,” and urged authorities to ensure accountability for such incidents.
Meanwhile, Ato Yim, who spoke on the Role of communities in preserving Indigenous land rights, said that land for the Nagas “is not merely a resource but the very foundation of their identity, heritage, and future.”
He acknowledged that while Article 371(A) and the Inner Line Permit (ILP) provide vital constitutional safeguards, “community awareness and vigilance are equally crucial to protect indigenous land rights.” Warning of increasing threats from illegal migration and proxy ownership, he said, “Internal negligence poses as great a threat as external encroachment.” He urged village councils, students, and educated citizens to take active responsibility in monitoring land use.
The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Advocate Benison Shohe of NESCH–NELN, Nagaland Office. Participants collectively called for greater collaboration between state institutions, human rights bodies, and community stakeholders to translate legal protections into practice.
The event brought together leaders of civil society organizations, student unions, law students, students from St. Joseph University (Autonomous), Jakhama, and members of Avaazein Foundation. The programme was chaired by Advocate Abel Ayemi of NESCH–NELN, Nagaland Office.
