Apropos to the article captioned “The Position of Rongmei Recognition” by Rongmei Council Nagaland (RCN) represented by its president James Akham which appeared in the local papers on 10th & 11th April, 2014. The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) is saddened to note the wild derogatory phrases used for paper war by the RCN referring the NTC as “some sections of leaders in the pretext and aegis of NTC or ENPO is generally reflecting or indicating certain defects notion or rationale deficiency of the Naga society… the syndrome of shortcomings… discriminative motive” or “The communal issue-based composing NTC... creating false public opinions, fallacious notions and out-rightly denying the fellow Naga brothers without realizing the facts, logic and the deserving status of the Rongmei citizens in the state… politically tempering… the advantages of the many evil designers etc” While the article is published for the consumption of the public at large, the contents directly accused NTC, hence this response to set the matter straight. NTC respect the feelings of RCN, however some of its accusations and conclusions are generalized and baseless assumptions, not factual and even recklessly selfish and one-sided. Our main concern is that needless misunderstanding, distrust and resentment from false propaganda not be passed onto one another among the pan Naga brethren.
(2). NAMES OF ROMGMEI ARE NOT FOUND IN E-ROLL OF 1963
It is important to clarify that the Rongmeis were brought to Kohima under temporary permit by the British during the early part of the last century for scavenging profession at Kohima, this may not be misread or misinterpreted .That there are no names of Rongmei in the electoral roll of 5th Dec 1963 under Kohima District, as certified by the Joint Chief Electoral Officer & PIO, Kohima vide his letter No. ELE/RTI-2/2013/1758 Dt. 12/03/2013 and also there are no names of Rongmei in the electoral roll of 5th Dec. 1963 under Peren District as certified by Asst Election Officer & PIO Peren, vide his letter No. ELE/RTI/2010-13/639 Dt. 10/01/2013. The RCN while clarifying the statement of Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) admitted “there is no Rongmeis land in Peren District till date” as appeared in Morung Express Dt. 30th Sept. 2007. The right of recognition as claimed by RCN is baseless and is only creating animosities, distrust and resentment among Naga family.
(3). ORDERED NOT TO ISSUE INDIGENOUS CERTIFICATE TO RONGMEI
The Hon’ble Guwahati High Court in W.P.(C) No. 4519/12 for compliance of the order Dt. 22/11/2012 also passed an order addressed to the Chief Secretary, Nagaland as : “steps are being taken not to issue Indigenous Inhabitant Certificates to the members of Rongmei Community in violation of the abovementioned conditions stipulated in the Notification dated 28.04.1977. It may be stated that the names of the members of Rongmai Community did not appear in the Electoral Roll on 5.12.1963 and also they did not fulfill the other conditions stipulated in the abovementioned Notification dated 28.04.1977. Hence, you are hereby requested to comply with the aforesaid direction passed by the Hon’ble Gauhati High Court and not to issue ‘Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate’ to the members of Rongmei Community.” Therefore the claim of 1313 of Rongmeis purported to have settlement in Nagaland prior to 1st Dec. 1963 is bogus. Their claim of the so called “deserving shares” and accusing others of “the many evil designers” or claiming their recognition “enlarges or increases the grant of appropriation central provision”. Challenging the legal status of NTC and Christian faith is difficult to be understood.
(4). RECRUITMENT IN TO GOVERNMENT JOBS WITH BOGUS CERTIFICATES
The recent controversies on the genuineness of Shri Sachui Kamei, S/o. Talung Kamei a Rongmei candidate who claims to be held from Zeliang Tribe was issued an Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate and Scheduled Tribe Certificate by the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima during 2004 qualifying him to seat for job interview in the Social Welfare Department who was later selected for the post of LDA-Cum-Computer Assistant against the seat reserved for Zeliang Tribe(BT). The NTC questions as to how a reserved seat against Zeliang Tribe is given to a candidate held from Rongmei Community and how an Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate is issued to a candidate who did not satisfied the criteria as laid down in Govt. Notification No. AR-8/8/76 dated kohima, the 28th April, 1977. This blatant act of the State is one glaring instance of the State allowing the non-aboriginal tribe to take advantage in snatching away the rightful share of the genuine citizen of the State. This is a shameless attempt to forcefully snatch away its brother’s share leading to the most unwanted inter-tribal conflict that is destroying our bound of unity for the Nagas.
(5). ANGAMIS AND SEMAS ARE RECOGNIZED TRIBES IN MANIPUR
Some Angamis and Semas had temporary settlement in and around Tadubi and Kangpokpi of Senapati District prior to the creation of Manipur State due to Indo-Naga warfare. As such they were listed as recognized tribes of Manipur as per law of Manipur state but they did not own any village territory as a community in Manipur, therefore they never claimed any benefit at any time, whereas in the case of RCN who owns no village territory claiming their recognition in Nagaland as their birthright is an expression of greed, selfishness and legally not tenable. This is the difference between the Rongmei Council and the Nagas of Nagaland. The RCN comparing themselves to the Cacharis and Kukis who have several villages prior to 1st Dec. 1963 and were listed as Indigenous Inhabitant tribe during the state formation and thereby gaining political mileage, ability to manipulate the present Govt. is not good for the health of the pan Naga community.
(6). ONCE THE DOOR IS OPEN THERE CAN BE NO STOPPING LATER
The NTC has serious reservation on the issue of recognition of other tribes apart from the Naga tribes of Nagaland State as indigenous inhabitant tribe of Nagaland. The fact is that the Rongmei Tribe recognition has already created precedence. Henceforth, when any Naga tribe from outside Nagaland State applies for the same has to be treated at par with the Rongmei lest it would be discrimination. Rongmei tribe recognition has open a flood gate, now the Nagas of Nagaland would be overwhelmed and stampeded as has happened in the last recruitment drive of Graduate Teachers of 2012 in Peren District of Nagaland as a consequence of recognition accorded to Rongmei tribe.
(7). GOVT. NOTIFICATION DT. 28.04.1977 IS WITHOUT BIAS
The Notification was enacted without any prejudice nor by issuing this Notification the State Govt. committed any “historical injustice:” to any community or communities as was alleged by some persons with vested interest. It is the considered opinion of the NTC that it would be the greatest mistake the Nagas will ever make for their future generations, if dual Indigenous Inhabitant Naga Tribal Status is to be granted to some Naga Tribes residing in two or more states. Such a precedence may poison the pan Naga happy family, consisting of all contiguous areas of the Nagas in different states and countries. It is also observed that the present “recognition issue” is creating confusion, division, hatred and bitterness among the Nagas by making claim and counter claim through various print medias and not as alleged by the RCN such as “the so called Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) is seen as a rising crisis and chaos of the people”. Instead, the political upper hand of RCN is confusing and disturbing our Naga society today.
(8). THE NTC SHALL STAND FOR NAGA INTEGRATION
The NTC is all out and committed to the cause of Naga integration in all possible ways and means. NTC takes pride to state that till date all Nagas hailing from different States and Regions enjoy equal social Naga tribal status without any discrimination or distinction within the State of Nagaland. However, the question of modification of the Notifications and granting of other Naga Tribe as Indigenous Inhabitant Naga Tribal Status of the State of Nagaland is concern, the NTC is of the view that an individual member of a particular tribe having immovable property or having resided in the state over a considerable length of time does not qualify his whole tribe to be recognized as an Indigenous Inhabitant Naga Tribe of Nagaland. As the Notification has provisions and stipulated conditions for the individual residents to be recognized as indigenous inhabitant of the State, NTC appeals the State Govt to strictly adhere to the said Notification and not otherwise. It is pertinent to state here that any deviation from the existing legislated law of the land will be detrimental to the interest of the Nagas of Nagaland and fraternal relationship of Naga brethren. It is of paramount importance for the Naga tribes to respect and acknowledge situational realities that binds us together with mutual recognition and acceptance to collectively strive for our common vision.
(9). THE NTC IS FOR THE NAGAS OF NAGALAND
When the indigenous Naga Tribes of present Nagaland decided to form an organization of their own, others have absolutely no right to interfere into the affairs of the organization nor have any right to refer it as “the so called NTC.” The NTC reiterates its stand that it is not against any Naga unity as Nagas belong to the “common family of the same racial stock”. However, it is an undeniable fact that every Naga Tribe resides in a particular contiguous geographical area as a tribe these geographical areas were grouped into districts, states and even countries. These tribes were recognized as indigenous inhabitant to their particular district or state where they reside or inhabits. The patriotic Rongmei Nagas occupied Temenglong district of present day Manipur. Likewise, many other Naga tribes occupied other districts of Manipur and even a sizeable portion of Myanmar. The Naga tribes of Nagaland inhabited the present geographical area of present day Nagaland and are therefore termed as indigenous inhabitant tribes of Nagaland and were accordingly given due recognition. However, any people group or tribe including Naga tribes outside the geographical area of the present day Nagaland cannot be termed as indigenous inhabitant tribe of Nagaland.
(10). RONGMEI DID NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED CRITERIA FOR RECOGNITION
The NTC recognized the fact that there were few Rongmei (Kabui) families residing in Kohima and Dimapur before 1963. However, is this fact enough to qualify the whole Rongmei tribe to be recognized as an indigenous inhabitant tribe of Nagaland? Does having a plot of land in Kohima or Dimapur before the statehood of Nagaland meet the criteria to be recognized as an indigenous inhabitant tribe of Nagaland? As far as NTC is concerned, Rongmei as a community resided in the district of Tamenglong, Manipur, as such; the Rongmei tribe is not qualified to be recognized or considered to be indigenous inhabitant tribe of Nagaland.
Despite these empirical facts, the State Government issues a blatant notification recognizing the Rongmei tribe as an indigenous inhabitant tribe of Nagaland, the NTC is duty bound to question or reject or oppose the legally and morally wrong decision, as “two wrongs cannot make a thing right”.
(10). CONCLUSION
What the NTC said in this rejoinder is our humble attempt to address the tribal recognition complications, blunders, distrust, bitterness and hatred out of the issue that has taken place, because we care for the legacy we are passing on to the coming Naga generations. The bare facts mentioned above must not be taken lightly so that no further divisions and misunderstandings may take place between the brethren. It is time we bury the past resentments and hate which basically originate from the psychology of a defeated cause. Let us help one another unbound from the things that enslave our hearts. In building nationhood, as it progresses, suffering and difficult situations take place, the longer the duration the bigger the lesson. It must not mean that we have lost our cause but instead look forward to the future where we should not fail in our responsibility and integrity. The NTC sincerely believes the statements above to be just the true facts and nothing else; however, if there is anything you see which we have not seen and must see and be helped thereby, we hope you will lend a brotherly helping hand to rectify us in the spirit of mutual trust and create better understanding so that peace and unity prevails in our land for all times to come.
Theja Therieh,
Secretary, I&P, NTC
Lendinoktang Ao
Action President, NTC
(2). NAMES OF ROMGMEI ARE NOT FOUND IN E-ROLL OF 1963
It is important to clarify that the Rongmeis were brought to Kohima under temporary permit by the British during the early part of the last century for scavenging profession at Kohima, this may not be misread or misinterpreted .That there are no names of Rongmei in the electoral roll of 5th Dec 1963 under Kohima District, as certified by the Joint Chief Electoral Officer & PIO, Kohima vide his letter No. ELE/RTI-2/2013/1758 Dt. 12/03/2013 and also there are no names of Rongmei in the electoral roll of 5th Dec. 1963 under Peren District as certified by Asst Election Officer & PIO Peren, vide his letter No. ELE/RTI/2010-13/639 Dt. 10/01/2013. The RCN while clarifying the statement of Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) admitted “there is no Rongmeis land in Peren District till date” as appeared in Morung Express Dt. 30th Sept. 2007. The right of recognition as claimed by RCN is baseless and is only creating animosities, distrust and resentment among Naga family.
(3). ORDERED NOT TO ISSUE INDIGENOUS CERTIFICATE TO RONGMEI
The Hon’ble Guwahati High Court in W.P.(C) No. 4519/12 for compliance of the order Dt. 22/11/2012 also passed an order addressed to the Chief Secretary, Nagaland as : “steps are being taken not to issue Indigenous Inhabitant Certificates to the members of Rongmei Community in violation of the abovementioned conditions stipulated in the Notification dated 28.04.1977. It may be stated that the names of the members of Rongmai Community did not appear in the Electoral Roll on 5.12.1963 and also they did not fulfill the other conditions stipulated in the abovementioned Notification dated 28.04.1977. Hence, you are hereby requested to comply with the aforesaid direction passed by the Hon’ble Gauhati High Court and not to issue ‘Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate’ to the members of Rongmei Community.” Therefore the claim of 1313 of Rongmeis purported to have settlement in Nagaland prior to 1st Dec. 1963 is bogus. Their claim of the so called “deserving shares” and accusing others of “the many evil designers” or claiming their recognition “enlarges or increases the grant of appropriation central provision”. Challenging the legal status of NTC and Christian faith is difficult to be understood.
(4). RECRUITMENT IN TO GOVERNMENT JOBS WITH BOGUS CERTIFICATES
The recent controversies on the genuineness of Shri Sachui Kamei, S/o. Talung Kamei a Rongmei candidate who claims to be held from Zeliang Tribe was issued an Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate and Scheduled Tribe Certificate by the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima during 2004 qualifying him to seat for job interview in the Social Welfare Department who was later selected for the post of LDA-Cum-Computer Assistant against the seat reserved for Zeliang Tribe(BT). The NTC questions as to how a reserved seat against Zeliang Tribe is given to a candidate held from Rongmei Community and how an Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate is issued to a candidate who did not satisfied the criteria as laid down in Govt. Notification No. AR-8/8/76 dated kohima, the 28th April, 1977. This blatant act of the State is one glaring instance of the State allowing the non-aboriginal tribe to take advantage in snatching away the rightful share of the genuine citizen of the State. This is a shameless attempt to forcefully snatch away its brother’s share leading to the most unwanted inter-tribal conflict that is destroying our bound of unity for the Nagas.
(5). ANGAMIS AND SEMAS ARE RECOGNIZED TRIBES IN MANIPUR
Some Angamis and Semas had temporary settlement in and around Tadubi and Kangpokpi of Senapati District prior to the creation of Manipur State due to Indo-Naga warfare. As such they were listed as recognized tribes of Manipur as per law of Manipur state but they did not own any village territory as a community in Manipur, therefore they never claimed any benefit at any time, whereas in the case of RCN who owns no village territory claiming their recognition in Nagaland as their birthright is an expression of greed, selfishness and legally not tenable. This is the difference between the Rongmei Council and the Nagas of Nagaland. The RCN comparing themselves to the Cacharis and Kukis who have several villages prior to 1st Dec. 1963 and were listed as Indigenous Inhabitant tribe during the state formation and thereby gaining political mileage, ability to manipulate the present Govt. is not good for the health of the pan Naga community.
(6). ONCE THE DOOR IS OPEN THERE CAN BE NO STOPPING LATER
The NTC has serious reservation on the issue of recognition of other tribes apart from the Naga tribes of Nagaland State as indigenous inhabitant tribe of Nagaland. The fact is that the Rongmei Tribe recognition has already created precedence. Henceforth, when any Naga tribe from outside Nagaland State applies for the same has to be treated at par with the Rongmei lest it would be discrimination. Rongmei tribe recognition has open a flood gate, now the Nagas of Nagaland would be overwhelmed and stampeded as has happened in the last recruitment drive of Graduate Teachers of 2012 in Peren District of Nagaland as a consequence of recognition accorded to Rongmei tribe.
(7). GOVT. NOTIFICATION DT. 28.04.1977 IS WITHOUT BIAS
The Notification was enacted without any prejudice nor by issuing this Notification the State Govt. committed any “historical injustice:” to any community or communities as was alleged by some persons with vested interest. It is the considered opinion of the NTC that it would be the greatest mistake the Nagas will ever make for their future generations, if dual Indigenous Inhabitant Naga Tribal Status is to be granted to some Naga Tribes residing in two or more states. Such a precedence may poison the pan Naga happy family, consisting of all contiguous areas of the Nagas in different states and countries. It is also observed that the present “recognition issue” is creating confusion, division, hatred and bitterness among the Nagas by making claim and counter claim through various print medias and not as alleged by the RCN such as “the so called Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) is seen as a rising crisis and chaos of the people”. Instead, the political upper hand of RCN is confusing and disturbing our Naga society today.
(8). THE NTC SHALL STAND FOR NAGA INTEGRATION
The NTC is all out and committed to the cause of Naga integration in all possible ways and means. NTC takes pride to state that till date all Nagas hailing from different States and Regions enjoy equal social Naga tribal status without any discrimination or distinction within the State of Nagaland. However, the question of modification of the Notifications and granting of other Naga Tribe as Indigenous Inhabitant Naga Tribal Status of the State of Nagaland is concern, the NTC is of the view that an individual member of a particular tribe having immovable property or having resided in the state over a considerable length of time does not qualify his whole tribe to be recognized as an Indigenous Inhabitant Naga Tribe of Nagaland. As the Notification has provisions and stipulated conditions for the individual residents to be recognized as indigenous inhabitant of the State, NTC appeals the State Govt to strictly adhere to the said Notification and not otherwise. It is pertinent to state here that any deviation from the existing legislated law of the land will be detrimental to the interest of the Nagas of Nagaland and fraternal relationship of Naga brethren. It is of paramount importance for the Naga tribes to respect and acknowledge situational realities that binds us together with mutual recognition and acceptance to collectively strive for our common vision.
(9). THE NTC IS FOR THE NAGAS OF NAGALAND
When the indigenous Naga Tribes of present Nagaland decided to form an organization of their own, others have absolutely no right to interfere into the affairs of the organization nor have any right to refer it as “the so called NTC.” The NTC reiterates its stand that it is not against any Naga unity as Nagas belong to the “common family of the same racial stock”. However, it is an undeniable fact that every Naga Tribe resides in a particular contiguous geographical area as a tribe these geographical areas were grouped into districts, states and even countries. These tribes were recognized as indigenous inhabitant to their particular district or state where they reside or inhabits. The patriotic Rongmei Nagas occupied Temenglong district of present day Manipur. Likewise, many other Naga tribes occupied other districts of Manipur and even a sizeable portion of Myanmar. The Naga tribes of Nagaland inhabited the present geographical area of present day Nagaland and are therefore termed as indigenous inhabitant tribes of Nagaland and were accordingly given due recognition. However, any people group or tribe including Naga tribes outside the geographical area of the present day Nagaland cannot be termed as indigenous inhabitant tribe of Nagaland.
(10). RONGMEI DID NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED CRITERIA FOR RECOGNITION
The NTC recognized the fact that there were few Rongmei (Kabui) families residing in Kohima and Dimapur before 1963. However, is this fact enough to qualify the whole Rongmei tribe to be recognized as an indigenous inhabitant tribe of Nagaland? Does having a plot of land in Kohima or Dimapur before the statehood of Nagaland meet the criteria to be recognized as an indigenous inhabitant tribe of Nagaland? As far as NTC is concerned, Rongmei as a community resided in the district of Tamenglong, Manipur, as such; the Rongmei tribe is not qualified to be recognized or considered to be indigenous inhabitant tribe of Nagaland.
Despite these empirical facts, the State Government issues a blatant notification recognizing the Rongmei tribe as an indigenous inhabitant tribe of Nagaland, the NTC is duty bound to question or reject or oppose the legally and morally wrong decision, as “two wrongs cannot make a thing right”.
(10). CONCLUSION
What the NTC said in this rejoinder is our humble attempt to address the tribal recognition complications, blunders, distrust, bitterness and hatred out of the issue that has taken place, because we care for the legacy we are passing on to the coming Naga generations. The bare facts mentioned above must not be taken lightly so that no further divisions and misunderstandings may take place between the brethren. It is time we bury the past resentments and hate which basically originate from the psychology of a defeated cause. Let us help one another unbound from the things that enslave our hearts. In building nationhood, as it progresses, suffering and difficult situations take place, the longer the duration the bigger the lesson. It must not mean that we have lost our cause but instead look forward to the future where we should not fail in our responsibility and integrity. The NTC sincerely believes the statements above to be just the true facts and nothing else; however, if there is anything you see which we have not seen and must see and be helped thereby, we hope you will lend a brotherly helping hand to rectify us in the spirit of mutual trust and create better understanding so that peace and unity prevails in our land for all times to come.
Theja Therieh,
Secretary, I&P, NTC
Lendinoktang Ao
Action President, NTC
