By Bhupen Goswami

Guwahati : The Nagaland Assembly held a thorough discussion on the pros and cons of implementing the proposed Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), on the last day of the two-day Assembly session today. Participating in the discussion, Leader of Opposition TR Zeliang said the issue should be deliberated at length before implementation. He said that preparation of the RIIN with 1963 as the basis of categorisation and without any proper definition of indigenous Nagas, would only victimise certain sections of people. Zeliang suggested that the RIIN should not be mixed with Inner Line Permit (ILP).

He urged the State Government to implement the ILP in Dimapur district too, to identify non-tribals and non-Nagas. Opposition NPF MLA Chumben Murry said Nagas as indigenous people have not been documented well. He said the RIIN and the ILP are two different things. “RIIN will identify us on the basis of certain criteria, whereas the ILP is more or less like a travel document that enables law-abiding citizens to come to Nagaland and stay for a while,” Murry said. Participating in the discussion, PHED Minister Jacob Zhimomi said all members, including NGOs, tribal hohos and civil society organisations, are unanimous on the RIIN exercise. Once the citizen register is implemented in toto, it will give opportunities to local entrepreneurs and engage them in development activities.

It will also result in effective administration and planning, he added. Replying to the Opposition and stating the Government’s stand on the issue, Chief Minister and Leader of the House Neiphiu Rio lamented that Opposition members did not attend the consultative meeting on the RIIN held in Kohima last month. He sought opinions and constructive criticism from all sections of people, including legislators, on the issue. The Chief Minister urged all the stakeholders to support the exercise, adding that it was important not only for the present generation but also for the coming generations. He said a three-member commission has been set up and its members will thoroughly examine the matter and give recommendations to the Government. The Leader of the House also assured that the commission would ensure that corrective measures over earlier notifications are taken. He said in the consultative meeting, all the tribal hohos, NGOs and civil society organisations endorsed the decision of the Government and extended their support to the exercise.