DIMAPUR, JULY 29 (MExN): The Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) on Friday demanded that the indigenous tribe status granted to the Rongmeis be revoked within 30 days. Informing this, CNTC in a press statement said the decision was taken at a joint meeting comprising of the three apex tribal bodies of the Aos, Lothas and the Sumis on July 22, 2016 at Khehokhu Village.
Questioning what it alleged as the “ulterior motive” of this move, the CNTC reiterated, “If a small state like Nagaland keep on giving indigenous tribe status to every inhabitant, tomorrow, anyone from anywhere will start demanding it where the original inhabitant tribes of the present state of Nagaland will be endangered by the ramifications of such thoughtless move.” It also argued that the Rongmeis do not have any specific geographical territory within the state of Nagaland and granting of the tribe status is not justified and uncalled for. It said the indigenous inhabitant status may be granted to those who settled in Nagaland prior to 1963 qualifying the required criteria.
“Nagaland today cannot afford to jeopardize its own self and its future generations by granting of indigenous tribe status to anyone demanding it, as such unwarranted action will surely provide as a springboard for any outsider tomorrow for demanding the same which will result in utter chaos and spell doom for the future generations,” the press release read.
The CNTC has also cautioned that it would resort to its own course of action if their demand was not met within the stipulated time.
