The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has expressed its full support for the Naga Students’ Federation’s (NSF) statement on protecting Naga ancestral lands and customary land rights. In a press release, the DNSU reiterated that the Naga ancestral homeland is neither a commodity for negotiation nor a territory open to unilateral alteration. The union maintains that the homeland, along with its customary institutions and traditional boundaries, remains inseparable from the identity, history, and collective rights of the indigenous Naga people.
The DNSU has expressed concern over the actions of certain Kuki settler groups and individuals, alleging that they have disregarded customary understandings, challenged traditional authority, and advanced claims inconsistent with long-standing agreements governing settlement and land use. The union stated that residence within ancestral lands has historically been extended through the goodwill of traditional landowners and asserted that such hospitality should not be misconstrued as a transfer of ownership or be used to undermine indigenous rights.
The recent Maova village land dispute has highlighted the serious consequences arising from the breakdown of customary land arrangements and established understandings. The reported incidents of violence and damage further reinforce the need for strict adherence to customary laws and traditional authority. The DNSU has called for respect for customary laws, traditional institutions, and historical agreements, and urged the state government and competent authorities to uphold and protect customary land tenure and indigenous rights in both letter and spirit.
The union reaffirmed that the protection of ancestral lands is a sacred responsibility and said it remains committed to upholding the dignity, heritage, and rights of the Naga people. The DNSU cautioned that their patience and hospitality should not be mistaken for weakness.
