U A Shimray
The consolidated Naga Hills is located between 93030´E and 95015´E longitudes and 24030´N and 2700´N latitudes in Indo-Myanmar frontier. Naga Hills is sandwiched by Brahmaputra valley of Assam in the west; lower Himalayas in the northern side, Chindwin river in the eastern side and Imphal valley of Manipur in the south. At the different stages of colonial and post-colonial political re-organisation, the contiguous Naga Hills was segmented into different administrative units. Today, the Naga hills fall into the administration of Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh (also in upper Myanmar).
Naga Population
Naga areas stretches along the Naga Hills of Tirap and Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, present Nagaland State, Hill districts of Manipur consisting Tamenglong, Senapati, Chandel and Ukhrul, and part of Karbi Anglong district and North Cachar Hills district of Assam. There are more than 40 Naga groups. The Government of India lists the following Naga groups as Scheduled Tribes (see the table 1).
In the absence of authentic information and reliable source of data, estimating Naga population is very difficult. Also, problem associated with it is population falls into different political and administration units. The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India publish population figures every decade. The present figures of the Naga population are extracted from the “Special Table for Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes”.
It is obvious that the demographic variables- fertility, mortality and migration are responsible for growth of population in any giving region. When there is positive difference between the number of births and the number of deaths- population grows. And the increase of births over deaths is known as natural increase of population. In 1991 population census, the total Nagas living in Indian sub-continent is recorded as 14,54,864 persons (This figure is purely based on the India Population Census’ report. The estimated figure can be underestimated however; 2001 population census will give different picture. Till now, the 2001’s “Special Table for Schedule Tribes” is not available. In the latest census, Nagaland state recorded absolute tribal population of 17,74,026 persons. Nagaland register high decadal growth rate in 1981-1991 and 1991-2001 with 56 per cent and 64 per cent respectively).
The decadal growth rate of Naga population in the decade 1971-1981 is 30 per cent. However, in the last decade 1981-1991, population registered a growth rate as high as 63 per cent. The percentage change between the two decades 1971-1981 and 1981-1991 is 33 per cent.
Among the Naga communities, Ao Nagas recorded the largest absolute number of 1,65,893 persons in 1991 population census. The second largest is Sema Nagas with 1,50,780 persons and it is closely followed by Konyak Nagas, 1,36,458 persons and Tangkhul Nagas, 1,07,244 persons. The smallest groups are Makhori with only 826 persons, Koireng 873 persons, Monsang 1803 persons and Chirr 2067 persons. Among the groups, Ao Nagas recorded the highest number of population (1,65,893 persons) with a proportion of 11 per cent to total Naga population. This is followed by Sema Nagas (10 per cent), Konyak Nagas (9 per cent), Tangkhul Nagas (7 per cent).
In the last two decades, Nagas experience a high percentage decadal growth rate. Major groups like Ao Nagas, Phom Nagas, Chakhesang Nagas, Konyak Nagas, Sangtam Nagas, Kabui Nagas, and Wancho Nagas contribution to the growth of population is considerable. Though, the smaller groups accounted for high percentage of decadal growth rate like Tikhir Nagas, Makhori Nagas, Rengma Nagas and Monsang Nagas but their contribution to total population in term of absolute number is considerably low.
Sex Composition
Sex of the individual holds an important place in a demographic examination. Sex is a biological characteristic that divides human beings into male and female. The sex composition of India’s population shows a shortage of females per 1000 males and this shortage has aggravated over time. A favourable sex ratio to males and the declined in the proportion of female population has been a matter of great concern and is being viewed with serious concern by demographers and several women’s organisation.
According to population reports, a considerable shortage of female population has been indicated in the Naga society. The declining trend of sex ratio is more prominent in the last decades. In 1991 population census, there are about 951 females per 1000 males against 995 females per 1000 males in 1981.
The highest sex ratio is recorded in Monyon Nagas with 1098 females per 1000 males and is followed by Anal Nagas (1034), Koireng Nagas (1109) and Rengma Nagas (996). The lowest sex ratio is found among the Phom Nagas and the ratio is 858 females per 1000 males. This is closely followed by Maram Nagas (889) and Chang (922).
Earlier Nagas experienced high female population particularly in the year 1971 population census. One interesting observation is that, a high sex ratio is recorded among the smaller Naga groups like Rengma, Anal, Koireng and Monyon. The decline of female population could be attributed to intra-marriage and female migration. Another possible reason is related to the enumerators’ negligence at the same time, people hardly bother about census enumeration due to lack of awareness.
Immigration, Emigration and Migration
The increasing trend of population in the region is because of two reasons- (a) the natural growth rate (that is, the different between birth rate and death rate) and (b) the factors of immigration, emigration and migration. In the wake of the Bangladesh liberation war, thousands of Bangladeshi took refuge in India, particularly Assam and the periphery states. All of them did not return even after the creation of Bangladesh. Also, there is continuous flow of migration from elsewhere Indian states and illegal immigration particularly Nepali, Myanmarese and Tibetan. Sanjoy Hazarika caution that- “the Lebensraum is to be the Northeast of India and other eastern states, setting up areas of potential conflict over natural resources, such as water, food, land and competition for jobs in governmental establishments and private enterprise”.
Some demographers acknowledge that the influx of outsiders and illegal immigration in the region is gone down due to the insurgency activities. However, the statement is half-truth. The Lebensraum theory is still working and continuous spill of “unwanted number” from cow-belt (BIMARU-Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, famous connotation of Professor Ashis Bose) to the region is still at large. The so-called “Inner Line” and other restrictions fail to check the current infiltration stream. The colonial policy of non-interference to the native soil now interestingly translates as what appeared to be the “unstoppable” demographic transformation. The Inner Line was introduced in the Naga areas in 1873 even some parts of the North Eastern region continues till this day. However, the Inner Line is literally non-functional in the case of Nagas.
The continuous flow of outsiders (may be infiltration is more appropriate) in the Naga areas results bringing tremendously changes in the demographic scenario and socio-economic front. For instance, the most vulnerable areas like Dimapur, Kohima, Senapati (along the track of national Highway 39) and Chandel is one ideal place for the outsiders. There are three types of infiltrators- (a) labourer, (b) traders, businesspersons, and (a) professionals. However, major contribution is labourer and traders. This outsider from plain of mainland India including immigrant Bangladeshi is known in different name. The outsiders are popularly known as “Mayang” in Manipur, “Vai” in Mizoram and “Dakhar” in Meghalaya.
Now, the migrants share considerable proportion of population. For instance, the proportion of Naga population in Kohima district account only 67 per cent to the district’s total population. The case is worst in Senapati district registering only 55 per cent in 1991 population census. However, other districts still maintain the comfortable proportion of 80 per cent and above category. The migrants indeed controlled major commercial activities and trading establishments. In other words, manipulate the every economic transaction and the primary motive is profit not for any kind of development. The transaction is dispatch as remittances to the place where they come from.
The increase of outsider population is very conspicuous now. One of the Nagaland newspapers “Nagaland Page” (10 August 1999) writes, “(I)n Dimapur, all the rickshaw pullers are Bangladeshis and they are a highly aggressive lot in a land where the non-tribals are living a second class living. All these are signs of a growing and highly visible problem- the virtual colonisation of Nagaland by Bangladeshi Muslims, locally known as Miyan. But sadly in Nagaland, very little attention is being given to this problem, which is much more serious than even the sovereignty issue”.
Indeed, increase of migrant population pose a serious threat to the social system, land, natural resources and human resources. Recently, Nagas were experiencing high growth rate of population and high density. The same article in Nagaland page state- “once they obtain ration cards and get their names on the voter list, get married to Naga women, it is impossible to throw them out.” One interesting measures taken by the Sumi Naga Hoho (Western) at the general public meeting at Shoxuvi village in 1994 regarding the issue related to immigration. The Sumi Nagas adopted the following resolutions:
1. Resolved that, any person from Sumi community who will marry or married the “Miyan” girl(s) shall be deprived of his right to inherit the movable or immovable property/properties, save the dresses he wears. But in the case of the village Chief(s) his chieftainship shall be stripped off immediately without trail.
2. That, any Sumi girl(s) who will marry or married “Miyan” shall be expelled from the village and shall be treated as the foreign national for the practical purpose.
3. That, no Miyan shall be allowed to exercise his/her franchise in any elections, even he by chance possessed the voter ID card.
Remarks
The infiltration problem is more or less encouraged by the Nagas. Sometimes, Nagas emphasize too much as “proud” people and don’t believe in labour activities (though Nagas don’t have labour system but practice traditional barter system). So Nagas invite outsiders for labour- as domestic helper and employed them in different fields. In this case, both “pull” and “push” factors are at its dispensation. Naga pulls them and employ their skill and unskilled resources… and eventually accommodates them in the society. Push is inevitable; infiltrators are mostly entrepreneurs and superior in “know-how” business and also to capture the Naga market. In fact, presence of so many non-Nagas in the Naga areas is a slow cancer. I admire Mizos in this regard. They establish firmly the concept- “Mizoram for Mizos”. Institutions are capitalised right from cobbler, saloon to trading and labour organisation. For the Nagas, we depend outsiders even for haircut.
Now, we understand the macro level picture of outsider population in Naga areas. But the important thing here is the detail of the social fabric and it is this that we need to examine. Nagas need cheap and un-organised labour. Without hypocrisy, we need them…however; we need to check the inflow of population. Now, we understand the “inner line” system is total failure instead it gives advantage to the moving people. What need now is temporal work permit system to the labourers for a stipulated period and no settlement or voting will be permitted to those traders and businesspersons. The professional either government servants, Ex-servicemen or NGOs should also have permit. Therefore, certain preventive measures need to be taken up. Now, social backlash is felt in the heart of Kohima, Dimapur and other Headquarters…rape is frequent, smuggling activities are getting bolder and now we are just watching the woe of demographic resilient.
