Centre Chakhesang Youth Organisation launches non-cooperation movement

The Centre Chakhesang Youth Organisation (CCYO) has launched a “Non-Cooperation Movement” against the Nagaland Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department. The movement follows an expired ultimatum to the Chief Minister regarding the detention of Vezhoto Hesuh.

As part of this protest, the CCYO announced that the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, will be treated as “unacceptable and non-operative” within the Centre Chakhesang area. Consequently, the organization has lifted existing prohibitions on hunting in the region. The CCYO also maintains a ban on the entry of outsiders and government personnel into Centre Chakhesang villages, stating that trespassers do so at their own risk.

The CCYO has also issued a condemnation of statements made by the PCCF & HoFF, Mr. Vedpal, regarding the detention of Hesuh. While officials claimed Hesuh was detained for removing birds from their habitat, the CCYO asserts that the birds, including an owl and a Great Barbet, were rescued from injury or exposure by local youths rather than captured for rearing. The organization maintains that the government's actions disregard the customary laws and traditional practices of the Naga people, which are protected under Article 371A of the Constitution.