Phek, Oct 15: The Centre Chakhesang Youth Organisation (CCYO) on Thursday ended its non-cooperation movement against the Forest Department and unsealed departmental offices in Phek and Pfutsero following an agreement with the Nagaland government.
The move brings an end to weeks of agitation over a wildlife-related case involving Vezhoto Hesuh. The organisation agreed to withdraw its protest after discussions with the Forest Department and intervention by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
The unsealing ceremonies were marked by traditional rituals. In Phek, Külaveyi, chairman of the Centre Chakhesang Gaon Buras (GBs) Union, pronounced traditional blessings, while 102-year-old Sülüngoyi, the oldest resident of Sakraba village, cut the wild ropes used to seal the office.
At Pfutsero, elders and village leaders also pronounced traditional blessings before the office was reopened.
The development followed a meeting between CCYO representatives and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Vedpal Singh at Hotel Japfü in Kohima on October 14. The meeting resulted in an agreement to resolve the dispute amicably and through an out-of-court settlement process.
The agitation intensified after the organisation’s seven-day ultimatum went unmet. The CCYO launched its non-cooperation movement on October 5 and sealed Forest Department offices in Phek and Pfutsero on October 12 using traditional ropes and wooden materials.
The organisation had demanded the withdrawal of the case against Hesuh, the return of a Great Barbet seized from Porba village and an independent inquiry into an allegation that Rs 1 lakh had been demanded in connection with the case.
The Great Barbet was released into the Porba village community forest on September 30.
According to a joint declaration issued after the October 14 meeting, a police inquiry into the alleged monetary demand had been initiated, with its outcome awaited. The case against Hesuh is to be pursued through an out-of-court settlement process involving his cooperation and the court.
The dispute had also raised questions about the relationship between wildlife protection laws, Naga customary practices and the constitutional safeguards provided under Article 371A.
The settlement was facilitated by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, with contributions from Minister C. L. John, MLA and Advisor Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, and Principal Secretary and Development Commissioner Y. Kikheto Sema.
With the offices reopened, the withdrawal of the agitation is expected to restore normal functioning and relations between the CCYO and the Forest Department, even as the remaining legal proceedings and inquiry continue.
Also Read: Missing severed head of Naga man killed in Manipur attack recovered after five days
Also Watch
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on-
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub
The post CCYO unseals Forest Department offices in Phek, Pfutsero after reaching agreement with govt appeared first on Hub News.