Kohima, July 3: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has decided that academic research by non-Nagas on the tribes of the state, especially on their history, would henceforth need its consent.

The decision was taken at its convention at Tamenglong in Manipur on June 27. The federation said the Genome Project goof-up, where blood samples of some tribal villagers were collected for genetic research, was the main reason behind the decision. “People from outside the Naga community will not be allowed to do any research on Naga history without our permission,” president of the students’ federation, Achumbemo Kikon, said today. He said history of Naga tribes had been distorted through such research in the past.

“Starting from J. H. Cotton to the present researchers, they have done it for their own benefit and there are many mistakes,” he said. Kikon said the modalities would be worked out later, but for a start, the NSF will begin collecting “authentic” Naga history books very soon. Any researcher will have to approach the NSF before starting a project and obtain its approval even on the final manuscript.

The NSF has also gone against the Centre’s reported proposal to give the Naga Hoho statutory status. The federation alleged that this was an attempt by Delhi to divide the Nagas.