NTC stands firm against issuing of certificates to non-aboriginal tribe

Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) Monday reiterated its opposition against issuing of Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate (IIC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate to members of Rongmei tribe.
NTC also expressed displeasure at the callous attitude of the state government in “randomly issuing” IIC which contravened the legislated law of the state in allowing “illegitimate candidates” to avail job opportunities in the state.
 NTC acting president Lendinoktang Ao and general secretary Nribemo Ngullie, said NTC executive council took the decision in Kohima, after a thorough deliberation on ongoing and pertinent issues confronting the Naga society.
On the Rongmei tribe recognition, NTC reminded that one Sachui Kamei, son of Talung Kamei, a Rongmei candidate claiming to be from Zeliang tribe, obtained an IIC and ST certificate from the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Kohima during 2004, which qualified him to sit for job interview in the Social Welfare Department. NTC said Sachui was later selected for the post of LDA-cum-Computer Assistant against the seat reserved for Zeliang Tribe (BT).
The signatories pointed out that the action of state government in appointing a non-indigenous candidate to the post in the department was like “adding salt to injury” when its citizens were crying against recognition of non-aboriginal tribes in the state.
NTC questioned as to how a reserved seat for Zeliang Tribe was given to a candidate from Rongmei community; and how IIC was issued to a candidate who did not satisfy the criteria as laid down in a government notification “No. AR-8/8/76 dated Kohima, the 28th April, 1977?.”
It said the “blatant act” was a glaring instance of the state government allowing non-aboriginal tribe to take advantage in “snatching away” the rightful share of the genuine citizen of the state.
NTC urged upon the government, to cancel all the fraudulent certificates issued by district authorities and to immediately start “criminal proceedings” against the then DC Kohima for issuing the fraudulent certificate.
While reiterating the stand of NTC and ENPO on Rongmei recognition issue, the NTC council resolved to take the issue to the people through protest rallies in consultation with ENPO.
During the meeting, NTC also resolved to constitute a committee on Right to Education (RTE) to study the RTE impact and its implementation in Nagaland. The house also resolved to constitute a “committee on border affairs” to study issues relating to border areas and their relationship with neighboring states. The meeting also decided soon to hold a seminar on Article 371(A), land and its resources.