Nagaland
Kohima
,
Dimapur
,
Dimapur
Published :
Feb 2025
|
Updated :
Global Naga Forum calls for relocation of Assam Rifles camps from urban areas
Reported by
Sarup Sinha
Legal Review by
Anmol Gupta
Sourabh Rai
Edited by
Anupa Kujur
Households affected
People affected
2024
Year started
ha.
Land area affected
Households affected
People Affected
2024
Year started
Land area affected
Key Insights
Sector
Infrastructure
Reason/Cause of conflict
Defence and Security Establishments
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Urban
Ended
Sector
Infrastructure
Reason/Cause of conflict
Defence and Security Establishments
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Urban
Ended
1
Summary

On 13 December 2024, the Global Naga Forum (GNF) appealed to relocate Assam Rifles (AR) camps from urban areas in Nagaland, particularly Kohima and Dimapur. They made this appeal to tribal groups, women’s organizations, civil society, and youth groups, expressing concerns about the problems posed by the presence of these camps in urban areas.

The GNF pointed out that incidents involving AR personnel and civilians have become a recurring problem, citing an altercation in August 2024 involving the Angami Students’ Union in Kohima. These tensions, the forum noted, occur because of the deployment of security forces under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, which has led to misunderstandings between the military and local residents.

Since these camps are located in prime urban areas, the forum claims that the camps often impede important infrastructure projects in the cities. They also pointed out that traffic congestion and limited mobility in Kohima and Dimapur make daily life difficult for residents.

The GNF believes that relocating the camps would help solve these issues.

The GNF suggested that the land left vacant by the camps could be used for public parks, tourism sites, recreation centres, and other community projects that would benefit the people. They gave examples from nearby states where moving AR camps resulted in better urban development.

The GNF believes that moving the AR camps would fit well with the urban development plans of the Government of Nagaland and the Smart Cities Mission. The forum has urged the state government to begin talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Assam Rifles about the relocation process.

Overall, the GNF argues that moving the camps would boost urban growth and help ease tensions between civilians and the military in Nagaland. They expressed confidence that various political and tribal groups would also support the demand. 

2
Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for better access to common land/resources

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Urban

Type of Land

Common

Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Government or community-regulated urban commons

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

Type of investment:

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

4
Additional Information

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Government of Nagaland, Ministry of Home Affairs, Dimapur Municipal Council, Kohima Municipal Council

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

Global Naga Forum

5
Information on the use of criminal law

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Legal Supporting Documents

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Fact sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for better access to common land/resources

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Government or community-regulated urban commons

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

JOIN
THE LCW COMMUNITY
Exclusive monthly policy briefs, stories from the ground, Quarterly Analytics report, Curated Expert talks, merchandise and much more.


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