Dimapur, August 5 (MExN): The government today reiterated the long-standing order of the Nagaland government that only non-Nagas of Nagaland who settled permanently in the state before December 1, 1963 would qualify as ‘indigenous inhabitants’ of the state. This order was reiterated today by the Dimapur administration for the non-Nagas, and a copy of the order addressed to the Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Muslim communities.
The Government of Nagaland in a notification on April 28, 1977 had ordered that to qualify as a non-Naga “indigenous inhabitant” of the state, a person or his parents should have settled permanently in Nagaland prior to December 1, 1963. It was further decided by the government that permanent settlement shall include a person or his parents whose name has been entered in the electoral roll published on December 5, 1963. Further, the person or his parents should have acquired property and patta, prior to December 1, 1963.
In a notification today, deputy Commissioner of Dimapur Maongwati Aier repeated the order. The administration took strong note that people coming into Nagaland much after December 1, 1963 “in their zeal for quick results” are ignoring permanent indigenous inhabitants in matters of running educational, religious or social institutions of their respective community. This “tendency” is against the spirit of the said order of the government, the Dimapur DC said.
“…in the running and managing of such institutions, the role of the permanent indigenous inhabitants cannot be ignored and their guidance is a must at all level,” the DC’s notification stated. The Dimapur administration has asked the communities in concern to follow this “suggestion” for harmonious functioning of the communities in concern. The advice and counsel of the indigenous non-Naga inhabitants should be taken into account in all such matter, the notification stated.
