No confusion on definition of indigenous inhabitants: Dr Jamir

(From Right) Khekiye K Sema, Dr SC Jamir and Anup Chetia alongwith NIPF members at the launch programme in Dimapur on October 26.

Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 26

The Nagaland branch of the North East Indigenous People’s Forum (NEIPF) took shape on October 26. NEIPF Chief Convenor Anup Chetia, Dr SC Jamir and Khekiye K Sema were among the guests, who attended the launch programme hosted at the auditorium of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Dimapur. 

Convener of Nagaland Indigenous People’s Forum (NIPF), P Pius Lotha described the organization as a non-political forum for asserting the rights of indigenous people. 

Five-time Chief Minister of Nagaland and former Governor of Goa and Maharashtra Dr Jamir said that the quest for protecting the interest of indigenous communities should not clash with India as a nation and its diversity. “Whenever we talk of indigenous (rights), we must remember that we are first citizens of India,” said Dr Jamir. 

According to him, the beauty of India lies in its variety and the “Indigenous peoples” of the country is one of the “priceless elements which make India beautiful.”

On the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), he said that it demands a broader view without any prejudice. “Whatever we decide today should also be relevant in future too; otherwise all our efforts or endeavours will be fruitless.

The issue of indigenous is both emotive and sensitive and yet our deliberations should not be emotional nor sensational. It will be a fatal mistake if we approach the problem merely based on the present settings.”

Coming to the definition of indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland state, he said that there should be no confusion. “RIIN deals with a very specific state i.e. Nagaland and its indigenous inhabitants (including non-Naga indigenous inhabitants). We should not confuse this matter with the common Naga name.”     

He said that the population of Nagaland state is projected to grow to 50 lakhs by 2050.  With an area a little over 16,000 square km, he called for seriously pondering what kind of Nagaland it would in 20-30 years time. 

Considering the Act East Policy and the benefits and challenges it would present, he also called for devising means to counter the changes anticipated, both in terms of economics and demographics. “The north-east region will feel the pressure. It will be difficult for the region to counter the economic forces.”

According to Jamir, unless the indigenous peoples of the region devise means to counter that kind of “invasion” with the requisite education and skills chances are “we will be rendered ‘second class’ citizens.” 

Chief Convenor of the NEIPF Anup Chetia called for the coming together of the indigenous communities of the region to the perceived threat from “infiltrators.” He said that it was the basis that led to the formation of the NEIPF in 2017. According to him, in Assam, ‘Indigeneity’ is coming under question with infiltrators claiming to be indigenous. 

While Assamese and Nagas have had good relations historically, he said that non-Assamese “immigrants” occupying the border regions of the two states have given rise to border dispute. 

He expressed opposition to the Citizen Amendment Bill terming it as dangerous to the north-east of India and held that Assam would be worst hit as a result.  

On Assam’s National Register of Citizens, he held that “infiltrators” either Hindus or Muslim, who came after 1971, must be deported. 

Khekiye K Sema, retired IAS officer and activist, warned of the indigenous peoples of the region becoming like the Native Americans of the USA. While the Nagas have been given so many privileges, he held that the Nagas have not been able to put it to advantageous use. “We as Christians today do not match up to half of the moral values and integrity of our ancestors, who were non-Christians,” he said.