Committee holding deliberations with tribal hohos and organisations
Morung Express News
Kohima | August 3
Among discussions held during the 8th session of the 13th NLA on August 3, the House also took up the issue of Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), with the state government maintaining that the Banuo committee report on RIIN would be given ‘at the right time’.
In response to a starred question by MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu on the status of RIIN exercise in Nagaland, the state government responded that, “Presently, the constituted Committees are holding deliberations with the tribal hohos and organisations on the recommendations of the report and other issues pertaining to RIIN.”
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in-charge of Home, Yanthungo Patton said the Government of Nagaland has decided for creation of RIIN with an objective to prevent issuance of fake indigenous inhabitants’ certificates.
However, he stated that due to the views, opinions and concerns expressed over RIIN exercise by various sections of civil society and tribal bodies, the government constituted a Commission on RIIN with Banuo Z Jamir as chairperson along with two other members with an objective for studying, examining and recommending and advising into all issues relating to RIIN.
The Commission, he stated has submitted its report and thereafter, a consultative meeting with all the tribal hohos and organisations on the proper modalities and systems to achieve the objectives of RIIN was held on April 16, 2021.
Subsequently, during the meeting it was decided that a state level joint consultative committee would be constituted with Home Commissioner as convenor and representatives of Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC), Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO), Tenyimi Peoples' Organisation (TPO), and of the non-Naga Scheduled Tribes of the state as members, Patton said. In the districts, a district level subcommittee with DC as convenor and the respective tribal hoho of the district as members would also be constituted for holding further deliberations with various stakeholders from the state of Nagaland in the issues pertaining to RIIN, he added.
Meanwhile, Nienu and Opposition Leader TR Zeliang questioned why the Banuo Committee Report on RIIN is being kept under secrecy as the members are not aware of the contents of the reports.
Responding to the query, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that the ‘government is not hiding the report and it is not a secret document.’ The report would be given to the members at the right time, Rio said.
