Kohima: The Western Naga Youth Front (WNYF) is demanding an immediate, impartial investigation into a clash between the Forest Department and Vezhoto Hesuh. The dispute centers on claims of illegal monetary demands. The organization wants officials held accountable for potential abuse of power.
Corruption ruins public trust. The WNYF stated, "Any act of corruption, abuse of official authority, intimidation or harassment of citizens is unacceptable and must be dealt with firmly and impartially." Government departments must prioritize transparency and respect citizen rights, they argued.
This incident is not an isolated fight. It highlights deeper failures in how Nagaland handles land and natural resources. The WNYF is pressing the government to review administrative procedures and the application of Article 371A safeguards. These constitutional protections must apply on the ground, not just in theory.
Traditional rights remain key. The group warned that officials cannot ignore customary practices under the guise of administration. They praised the Chakhesang community for challenging the department. The WNYF now wants the government to engage in meaningful dialogue with local institutions to overhaul resource management and ensure the state respects every citizen.
Updated at 2nd October 2026 at 2:00pm
WNYF president Niesapa Soho and general secretary Imtirong Amri issued the statement on the incident. The leadership noted that while the group demands protection for traditional rights, those same constitutional safeguards under Article 371A should not be treated as a license to ignore the rule of law.
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