The attention of the Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) is drawn by the statements of Nagaland GB Federation published in local dailies on 13th October, 2016 and the similar item published in some local dailies by Rev. L. Mhasi Suohe on 12.10.16 and 16.10.16 on Rongmei recognition issue respectively.
Since the Nagas of Nagaland are in protest against Govt. notification No. HOME/SCTA-6/2007 (PT.1) dated Kohima, the 4th August 2012 which recognized Rongmei Community as indigenous tribe of Nagaland, once again the Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has to place the following facts relating to the issue in the interest of all.
1. The Rongmei is recognized as Scheduled tribe in the states of Manipur and Assam under the Schedule Tribe Order Act 1950. The reason being that their ancestral lands are placed under these states jurisdiction.
2. The Government of Nagaland, Home Department letter No. HOME/SCTA-1/86 (PT) dated 16th August 2002 addressed to the concerned Ministry GOI stating that only 16 tribes are recognized in the State of Nagaland as Scheduled Tribes, namely, Ao, Angami, Sumi, Lotha, Rengma, Konyak, Sangtam, Phom, Chang, Yimchunger, Khiamniungan, Chakesang, Zeliang, Pochury, Kuki and Kachari. When the above mentioned list of tribes is the authenticated one in the state of Nagaland, what is the logic of trying to add more number of tribes from outside the state?
3. The claim of present day govt of supposedly having 1313 Rongmeis entered in the E-Roll of 1963 was nullified by RTI reply given by the Joint Chief Election Officer, Election Department, Govt. of Nagaland vide No. ELE/RTI-2/2013/1758 dated Kohima, the 12th of March, 2013 and also by Asst. Election Officer, Peren vide No. ELE/RTI/2010-13/639 dated Kohima, the 10th January 2013 respectively. Both the authorities authenticated that none of the 1313 Rongmei voters were found in 1963 Electoral Roll. It is therefore misleading for anyone to claim that 1313 Rongmei voters as valid. Many representations might have been submitted to the govt of Nagaland by Rongmei community for recognition as an indigenous tribe in the state. However, considering the ground realities their case was not granted for inclusion as an indigenous tribe of Nagaland earlier.
4. Despite of reiteration of the difference between the Indigenous tribe and indigenous inhabitants in the state of Nagaland, some people are found continue to have confusion. Any other communities who have become domiciles in Nagaland since 1963 and are qualified under the notification No. AR-8/8/76 dated Kohima, the 28th April, 1977 is entitled to have indigenous inhabitant status but they cannot become indigenous tribe of Nagaland.
In the light of the above facts being placed for public consumption, the NTC appeals to all concerned, be it organization or individual, not to distort or concoct the laws concerning the interest of the Nagas of Nagaland.
Dated Kohima, the 18th of October, 2016 Issued by: Media Cell, NTC
