Irate Zeliangrong Baudi demands NSCN (IM) to stop illegal logging

In a significant stand for citizens’ legal land rights, the Zeliangrong Baudi and the All Zeliangrong Students' Union (both stating to represent ‘Assam, Manipur and Nagaland’) have demanded that the underground organization NSCN (IM) immediately stop illegal logging operations that the armed group is allegedly engaged in ‘Zeliangrong territory.’

The two organizations issued a noticeably incensed copy of a representation addressed to the “collective leadership” of the NSCN (IM), on Wednesday. The statement demanded that the armed group immediately stop illegal logging in said area, ‘transfer’ the group’s functionaries involved in the illegal activity and to immediately revoke a “bond of agreement” that is said to have been signed under duress from a village.   

According to the representation, when the landowners of Chaka and Kanem villages had protested the action of NSCN / GPRN, they were ‘summoned’ to their camp on April 2016 and forced them to sign a "bond of agreement." Further, on the pretext of solving the land dispute of Chaka / Kanem and Razaimai “which is under the jurisdiction of Zeliangrong land,” NSCN GPRN cadres have been involved in illegal logging operations “in full-view of the innocent villagers armed with sophisticated weapons which is unbecoming of the national workers.”

The representation stated (given verbatim):

“That Razaima (Maram) village under Senapati district, Manipur is under the traditional land of Chaka / Kanem a Zeliangrong Village and the land has been in dispute for last few years. Subsequent, upon this dispute the NSCN / GPRN Kilo Affairs has banned total logging in the area on 19th Feb'2016, vide Order No. GPRN/KK/ESTT/05/16/53.”

However, in spite of the banned order, the Commander of Huthrong Brigade and some of its cadres started illegal logging with vested interested group(s) engaging machineries like (Earthmover) into the forest destroying the ecology and environment of the dense virgin forest of Zeliangrong territory.”

That when the landowners of Chaka and Kanem villagers protested the action of NSCN/ GPRN, they had summon them to their camp on 18/04/2016 and made them signed a statement called "Bond of Agreement" under duress on the same day under the 2nd in command of Huthrong Brigade which is highly objectionable and uncalled for from the National workers.”

That in the pretext of solving the land dispute of Chaka / Kanem and Razaimai which is under the jurisdiction of Zeliangrong land, the NSCN GPRN cadres are involved in illegal logging operations in full-view of the innocent villagers armed with sophisticated weapons which is unbecoming of the national workers.”

The two organizations have placed three demands for the group to fulfill: immediately stop illegal logging operations in Chaka / Kanem Zeliangrong areas; immediately transfer the “commander,” and ranks and files of all NSCN/ GPRN cadres of “Huthrong Brigade” involved in illegal logging in the land and to immediately withdraw all machineries sent by top ranking NSCN/ GPRN functionaries.

Further, the group is asked to immediately revoke the forced "bond signed agreement" with Chaka /Kane villagers ‘under duress.’

Therefore, the memorandum stated, “We demand the following immediate stringent actions from your esteemed office in the best interest of justice and for the greater interest of Naga nation.”

(Al Ngullie, July 27, 2016; Eastern Mirror)

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