Nagaland: In line with the assurance provided by the Nagaland state government that the local population would be a key party to the implementation of an Assam type NRC exercise in the state, a consultative meeting on the creation of the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) was held between legislators, NGOs, Government officials, Tribal Hohos and Civil Society Organisations at the State Banquet Hall on Wednesday.
The Tribal Hohos and Civil Society Organisations were given an opportunity to express their thoughts and suggestions for effective drafting of the RIIN. All Tribal Hohos and CSOs present in the meeting endorsed the decision of the State Government and expressed their desire to support the cause.
However, they also asked the government to give enough time to have further discussions on the subject and suggested measures for adoption of practical modalities while exercising the RIIN.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio called upon all the Tribal Hohos and civil society organizations to cooperate with the government in this endeavour. He said the government alone would not be able to carry out this task and as such urged all concerned to be a part of the exercise by engaging themselves with the common people at the grassroots level.
As suggested by Tribal Hohos and CSOs, the government would also reconsider the timeframe and work out the modalities with the help of various stakeholders, he said.
The following resolutions were unanimously adopted by the house
- To support and extend cooperation to the State Government for implementation of the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN).
- The process of enumeration for implementation of RIIN would be carried out only after consultations with all stake holders and the final modalities/guidelines will have to be agreed upon by everyone concerned.
Meanwhile, the Naga Hoho and the opposition NPF boycotted the RIIN consultative meet. Speaking to Northeast Live Naga Hoho president Chuba Ozukum said there was no point attending the consultative meet at a time when the government had already decided to go ahead with the RIIN exercise.
NPF spokesperson Imkong Imchen said that the government’s approach to the entire exercise was questionable. (Northeast Live)
