Members of Association of Indigenous Minority Tribes of Nagaland address a press conference in Dimapur on October 13. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 13
The Association of Indigenous Minority Tribes of Nagaland (AIMTN) has raised concerns over alleged selective implementation of the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN). The AIMTN termed the state government decision to begin the RIIN enumeration with the four minority tribes-- Kuki, Kachari, Garo and Mikir (Karbi), unfair and unjustified at a press conference in Dimapur on October 13.
The press conference had representatives from all the four affiliate tribes.
The AIMTN has already submitted a representation to the state government requesting a review of the September 20 order, notifying the schedule for the enumeration exercise. In it, they expressed their concerns but the government was said to have maintained its stance.
L Singsit, President of the Kuki Inpi Nagaland, clarified that the AIMTN is not against the RIIN, but is concerned about the exclusion of the other major tribes. He also sought to clarify alleged public apprehension that the 4 minority tribes are against the RIIN. "It is not as such," he said.
However, "We are surprised and apprehensive that the enumeration process will only be for these four tribes," Singsit said. The government may not have bad intentions but, "Why only these four, and not all?" he asked.
While he maintained that the AIMTN will not obstruct the enumeration process as announced, he said that the questions raised deserve clarification and demanded equal treatment of all the indigenous communities. According to the AIMTN, the government should address the doubts of the minority communities.
"We want the government to address our doubts and clarify its reasoning," Singsit added. He added that beginning the RIIN enumeration with only these four minority tribes, with an approximated combined population of 40-50 thousand, is unfair and unjustified.
Cliff Sangma, Joint Secretary of the Nagaland Garo Tribal Council (NGTC) reiterated Singsit's. He said the four tribes feel discriminated by the government decision. Otherwise, he said, "We have no issue with the (RIIN) and the December 1, 1963 cutoff date. If the government goes ahead, we are ready."
The government has not yet responded to the concerns raised by the AIMTN and NGTC.
