Says the process will involve and engage civil society and citizenry of the state
DIMAPUR, JULY 11 (MExN): The Nagaland Government on Thursday sought to allay fears and reservations expressed by various sections of the society including Naga civil societies and tribe hohos over the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) exercise.
While terming the concerns and observations expressed by different sections as a welcome development, as such type of approach is the basis of any democratic society, Home Commissioner R Ramakrishnan in a communiqué assured the citizens that the state government will not take any hasty decision over RIIN but rather the process will involve and engage civil society and citizenry of the state.
Stating that no decision that is discriminatory or in contravention of the interest of people or any community would be undertaken, the state government said the present exercises are new initiatives and need consultation and deliberations with participation from all sections and stakeholders.
Pointing out that the guidelines for implementation of the policies are still at an early stage of formulation and will be finalised after extensive consultations are carried out, the communiqué said the state government will hold consultative meets with all sections and stakeholders so that the exercise so carried out are in everybody’s interest and protects the rights of all citizens.
It may be recalled that the state government had announced on June 29 that it will prepare a register of indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland which would be a master list of all indigenous inhabitants of the state and at the same time prevent the issuance of indigenous inhabitant certificates to ineligible persons.
The list, according to a notification from the Home Commissioner will be prepared based on an extensive survey besides digging into official records of indigenous residents from villages and urban wards. The entire process under the supervision of the district administration would be completed within 60 days from the start on July 10.
The notification also said designated teams of surveyors would be formed within a week from the date of its publication. These team comprising sub-divisional officers, block development officers, school headmasters and other nominated members, would visit every village and ward to make the list.
Apart from Nagaland’s Chief Secretary and Home Commissioner, nodal officers of the rank of a Secretary will monitor the implementation without involvement in the adjudication process. The nodal officers are required to submit monthly updates to a permanent committee set up under the Home Department.
Since the government’s notification, civil societies, tribe hohos, political parties and individuals has voiced out different opinions and concerns on the exercise.
