Nagaland government to form Joint Consultative Committee on RIIN
The Nagaland government has decided to form a Joint Consultative Committee on the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN). The committee will be headed by the Nagaland Home Commissioner, Commissioner Nagaland as the Member Secretary and representatives from Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC), Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organization (ENPO) as members.
The decision was taken at a meeting with held by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio with representatives of tribal hohos and organisations. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Ministers and Advisors, along with the Chief Secretary, Commissioner, Nagaland, and all the Deputy Commissioners, representing the government. The tribals were represented by representatives of Angami Public Organisation, Kohima; Ao Senden, Mokokchung; Chakhesang Public Organisation; Chang Khulei Setsang, Tuensang; Kachari Tribal Council Nagaland, Dimapur; Karbi (Mikir) Union, Nagaland, Dimapur; Konyak Union, Mon; Khiamniungan Tribal Council, Noklak; The President, Kuki Inpi (Nagaland), Dimapur; Lotha Hoho, Wokha; Nagaland Garo Tribal Council, Dimapur: Phom Peoples’ Council, Longleng: Pochury Hoho, Meluri; Rengma Hoho, Tseminyu; Sumi Hoho, Zunheboto; United Sangtam Likhum Pumji, Kiphire; Yimchunger Tribal Council, Shamator; Central Nagaland Tribes Council, Dimapur; Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation, Tuensang and Tenyimi Peoples’ Organisation, Kohima.
The RIIN is to be prepared after an extensive survey with the help of a village-wise and ward-wise list of indigenous inhabitants based on official records. Also, it will be prepared under the supervision of each district administration.
Once the RIIN is completed and inhabitant certificate issued except for children born to the state’s indigenous inhabitants, who will be issued indigenous certificates along with birth certificates. The RIIN database will be updated accordingly.
The RIIN will also be integrated with the online system for Inner-Line Permit, a temporary document non-inhabitants are required to possess, for entry into and travel within Nagaland.
The whole exercise will be monitored by the Commissioner of Nagaland. In addition, the state government will designate nodal officers of the rank of a Secretary to the state government.
Naga leaders are worried over the cut-off date, which is December 1, 1963, the day Nagaland attained statehood. As a result of this cut-off date, Nagas, who have come to the state from beyond the boundaries of the state, will be excluded from the RIIN.
The Naga leaders feel that the Naga tribes living in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as across the border in Myanmar should be given their legitimate right to come to their ancestral homeland.
Naga leaders pointed out that there are thousands of Nagas, who have brought lands, build houses and settled down in Nagaland for several decades, but may not have proper documents to prove their stay or land ownership. This may lead to problems for them.
“The non-indigenous Nagas could be treated as “illegal immigrants” and their lands and property confiscated. The idea of the Nagas as a people to live together and their aspiration to live with self-determination will be irreparably damaged,” the Naga leaders feel.
The RIIN will be prepared after an extensive survey with the help of a village-wise and ward-wise list of indigenous inhabitants based on official records. Also, it will be prepared under the supervision of each district administration.
No fresh indigenous inhabitant certificate will be issued after the RIIN is completed except for children born to the State’s indigenous inhabitants who will be issued indigenous certificates along with birth certificates. The RIIN database will be updated accordingly.
The Nagas are not a single tribe, but an ethnic community that comprises several tribes who live in the state of Nagaland and its neighbourhood. Nagas belong to the Indo-Mongoloid Family.
There are nineteen major Naga tribes, namely, Aos, Angamis, Changs, Chakesang, Kabuis, Kacharis, Khain-Mangas, Konyaks, Kukis, Lothas (Lothas), Maos, Mikirs, Phoms, Rengmas, Sangtams, Semas, Tankhuls, Yamchumgar and Zeeliang.
The Naga population is estimated to be around 2. 5 million (1.8 million in Nagaland, 0.6 million in Manipur and 0.1 million in Arunachal Pradesh) and live in the remote and mountainous region between Assam and Myanmar.