North East Indigenous Peoples Forum (NEIPF) Nagaland unit Friday came out strongly in support of the notification issued by the State Government for the implementation of RIIN and appealed to the indigenous people of Nagaland to earnestly support the policy of the state government.
In a press release, NEIPF Nagaland unit convener, Y Kikon, said that the object of NEIPF was to safeguard their interest in their day to day life from domination by other outside forces.
The forum has, however, expressed surprise that following publication of the notification for carrying out RIIN, there has been many objections against carrying out the enrolment from “some groups without any logical reason.”
Stating that some people have even diluted RIIN with the ILP, the NEIPF state unit said carrying out the census was different from ILP, adding that they cannot be linked together. It said that some organizations have started to question about carrying out of RIIN and have demanded keeping in abeyance for further consultation.
For the interest of the public, the forum said there was no harm if the issue was discussed to hammer out tangible outcome in carrying out the RIIN.
Hoverer, it stated that there should not be any meddling to dilute the enrolment by including immigrants into the state to give recognition as Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland.
In the recent times, NEIPF state unit said there has been conflict among the Nagas with regard to employment opportunities. It said that even the court had intervened by setting aside the appointments under Nagaland government which were offered to the immigrants from other states.
“There are instances where immigrants obtained Indigenous certificate and obtained technical seats depriving the deserving Indigenous candidates,” it stated.
Further, NEIPF unit said there was a greater challenge before the indigenous people of Nagaland by citing the instances of indigenous womenfolk getting married to people from outside the state and giving indigenous certificate to their off springs.
“The other challenge is the local people adopt non locals and make them as indigenous people,” it stated.
The forum stated that unless these two challenges were tackled appropriately, there was a danger looming over the indigenous people of Nagaland.
In the light of the above, the North East Indigenous Peoples Forum unit has urged the state government as well as the Indigenous Naga Inhabitant not to entertain any delay tactics and compromise for relaxation of enrolment so as to save the future of the Naga society at large.