Kohima, Oct 15: A 102-year-old resident of Sakraba village will perform a traditional ceremony to reopen Forest Department offices in Nagaland on Thursday, marking the end of a month-long protest by the Centre Chakhesang Youth Organisation (CCYO) over a wildlife-related dispute.
The settlement was reached at a meeting between Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF) Vedpal Singh and CCYO president V. Dode Nakro at Hotel Japfu in Kohima on Tuesday.
In a joint declaration, the two sides said they had agreed to resolve the dispute amicably and outside court.
The protest centred on three demands: withdrawal of the case against Vezhoto Hesuh, return of a Great Barbet seized from Porba village, and an independent inquiry into an allegation that Rs 1 lakh had been demanded.
The declaration said the issue concerning the Great Barbet was settled on September 30, when the bird was jointly released into Porba village’s community forest.
On the case against Hesuh, the Forest Department said it had met the CCYO on October 1 to explore an out-of-court settlement. However, the process had been delayed because the department could not resolve the case without Hesuh’s cooperation and the involvement of the court.
According to the declaration, Hesuh maintained that he was unaware of the relevant laws and had acted only to rescue the bird. He also expressed his willingness to settle the matter outside court.
Meanwhile, police have initiated an inquiry into the allegation of a Rs 1 lakh demand, and its outcome is awaited.
The joint declaration credited Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s intervention with helping resolve the dispute. It also acknowledged the efforts of Minister C. L. John, Advisor Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu and Principal Secretary Y. Kikheto Sema.
102-year-old to lead traditional reopening
As part of the settlement, the CCYO will formally withdraw its non-cooperation movement against the Forest Department and remove the traditional seals from its offices at 11 am on October 15.
The reopening will follow traditional blessings by Külaveyi, chairman of the Centre Chakhesang GBs Union.
The symbolic act of cutting the wild ropes used to seal the offices will be performed by Sülüngoyi, the oldest resident of Sakraba village, who is 102 years old.
The ceremony will mark the formal end of the month-long protest, which brought a wildlife-related dispute between the youth organisation and the Forest Department to a traditional conclusion.
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