The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) and Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) in continuation to our earlier joint representation submitted to the Government on dated 21/11/2013 do hereby reiterate our firm stand for early implementation of our demand for de-recognition of Rongmei as a Tribe in Nagaland.
It may be stated that the Cabinet on dated 23.07.12 agreed to recognize Rongmei as one of Naga Tribe in Nagaland against the recommendation of Govt. constituted fact finding committee. The committee findings in brief may be quoted as follows; Recommendation: 4.1 “…….while entitling them to avail all the benefits of reservation to pursue employment and education will not make them an Indigenous Naga tribe of the State”. However overruling recommendation of the committee’s report, the Cabinet gave political decision thereby setting aside the government constituted committee which is uncalled for. It may further be stated that in the year 2003 the Gauhati High Court in T.A. Rongmei and ors vs State of Nagaland and ors, the petition seeking for inclusion of Rongmei Tribe in the State of Nagaland was dismissed by the Hon’ble Court on the ground that there was no merit in the case. It may further be pointed out that as per Government of Nagaland Notification dated 28th April 1977, the government had laid down criteria to be qualified as an indigenous person of the state of Nagaland where “a person should have settled permanently in Nagaland prior to 1-12-1963 and the person should have his/her name enrolled in the electoral roll published on 05-12.1963”. It is further proved by the documents of the electoral Roll of Kohima District and Peren District of 1963 received from election department Nagaland stating that names of Rongmei community not found/not available/could not be traced out in the respective districts.
From the facts stated, it is explained clearly that recognition of Rongmei as a tribe in the State of Nagaland does not qualify in any manner.
For the circumstances herein explained, the NTC & ENPO once again reiterate our demand to the Government to immediately revoke the recognition of Rongmei Tribe in the State of Nagaland. We look forward that the Government will respond to our demand at the earliest to avoid confrontation.
Lendinoktang Ao Chingmak Chang
Acting President NTC President ENPO
Manlang Phom Nribemo Ngullie
Jt Secretary ENPO General Secretary NTC
