TODAY -

Register of Indigenous Inhabitant of Nagaland (RIIN)
- A critique with ideas -

Ngaranmi Shimray *



The Press Trust of India (PTI) reported in September 2018 that - “The Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution on integration of the contiguous Naga inhabited areas for all Nagas to live under one administrative umbrella.

“MLAs of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) coalition and Opposition Naga People's Front (NPF) voted for the resolution moved by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio by raising their hands.”

It is indeed ironic that the Nagaland State Assembly has passed numerous resolutions “for integration of the contiguous Naga inhabited areas for all Nagas to live under one administrative umbrella”, but lost an opportunity when it could have played its “big brother role”.

It conveyed through the implementation of Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) that - Nagas from the States of Arunachal, Assam and Manipur whose lands are contiguous to Nagaland are not welcome to live among them. Nagas living outside the State of Nagaland, including those in Myanmar, are still driven by the desire for unity of Nagas to live as one Nation.

The Nagas in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal are in minority and are suffering from neglect and poverty. They are the ones pinning high hopes for a favourable outcome from the Indo-Naga peace talks based on the Framework Agreement as they continue to suffer from domination. However, the RIIN policy turned out to be a double whammy for them - a severe body blow and emotional hurt of rejection by big brother.

The recent RIIN policy raises questions as to why big brother should carry on with the false hope of uniting all Naga areas if there is no serious intention to do so. It is better to “say to our faces that the Nagas from outside Nagaland are not wanted”.

Do not deceive us with resolutions. Tell us truthfully that integration is not wanted and not possible. We will accept the decision gracefully and try to survive in our own political space under dominant communities in the best way we can.

The decision to have a Register of Indigenous Inhabitant of Nagaland (RIIN) comprising of only the tribes of Nagaland is a big blow to the idea of “Nagas are One”. Recall the circumstances how Nagaland was created and became a State under the Union of India.

The 16 Point Agreement signed in July 1960, which was the precursor to creation of Nagaland as an entity, was a masterstroke to many who gained politically from it, but at the same time a betrayal to many others who gave birth to the idea of Naga Nationhood.

The Nagas of Nagaland have carved for themselves a State of their own, while the Nagas living in inhabited areas outside Nagaland are still suffering the consequences of the birth of Nagaland as it left them out by insertion of Point No 13 in the 16 Point Agreement which states that - “Consolidation of Contiguous Naga Areas: The delegation wished the following to be placed on record: "The Naga leaders expressed the view that other Nagas inhabiting contiguous areas should be enabled to join the new State.

It was pointed out to them on behalf of the Government of India that Article 3 and 4 of the Constitution provided for increasing the area of any State, but it was possible for the Government of India to make any commitment in this regard at this stage". Point 13 was a lip service and a trick used by some of the signatories to keep the “other Nagas inhabiting contiguous areas” out and in limbo.

This act of selfishness of hastily forming a small State without greater and sincere efforts to rope in other Nagas inhabited areas became the seed of discontent and created further turmoil in the Naga areas since the signing of the 16 Point Agreement on July 1960 and continues to be an issue till this day. Insurgency still continues to plague the entire Naga Areas with the primary objective of creating a united Nagalim encompassing all Naga areas in India and Myanmar.

Today, the implementation of RIIN policy seem to confirm the suspicion that similar selfish mindset of July 1960 continue to prevail among some politicians promoting an exclusive Nagaland for Nagas of Nagaland and jettisoning the idea of a united Nagalim.

The policy of RIIN has even excluded people from other Naga tribes, originally hailing from villages outside Nagaland but have been living in Nagaland for generations and decades, from Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate (IIC). Exclusion of such category of Naga people, who have settled in Nagaland for generations, is not right and needs a relook.

RIIN is not the end of the road to citizenship of Nagaland, but could be the beginning for other finer factors to be incorporated in the policy. RIIN seems to be a reflection of NRC (National Register of Citizens) with a difference. In NRC, village-wise details are derived from the Census records and it is an objective exercise to ascertain citizenship by looking at old records.

However, RIIN could suffer from subjective and arbitrary considerations as records will be generated by the village itself leaving scope for manipulation. If RIIN register is Census based like the NRC, old village-wise records of inhabitants living in Nagaland for generations and decades could be extracted.

Regardless of whether they belong to any of the 15 Naga tribes and 4 other tribes of Nagaland or not, the inhabitants recorded in the Census since the creation of the State cannot be denied their rightful claim of being a citizen of Nagaland based on Census records.

The Government of Nagaland has referred to The Constitution (Nagaland) Scheduled Tribes Order, 1970 under which 15 Naga tribes and 4 other tribes are notified as residents in the State, and are considered as Indigenous Inhabitant of Nagaland provided that the person can trace their antecedents to a recognized village in Nagaland. One tribe among the 4 other tribes is a nomadic tribe.

This particular tribe has their kith and kins across most North Eastern States leaving scope for manipulation of records by the Village Verification Committee who could all be their own tribesmen. It would therefore be advisable to follow scientific and objective processes by compiling village-wise registry based on Census records of a given base year.

As Nagaland tribes have been notified in 1970, Census 1971 could serve as the source for bringing out village-wise registry. RIIN could have a category for allowing persons recorded in Census of 1971 to be given IIC with a unique code number to indicate “naturalisation” to allow those settled for generations to become RIIN naturalised citizens.

Further, if the noble and patriotic slogan of “Nagas are One” is to be promoted and pursued, special provisions could be made for Nagas from outside Nagaland to settle down in towns/cities and any village in Nagaland through a process of obtaining “Permanent Residency” (PR) status after IIC with a code is given.

This would be preceded by a process of application, scrutiny, vetting and acceptance by the Town/City Verification committee or Village Verification Committee for giving PR with a code number for a specified number of years to qualify for PR status. In this manner an inclusive Nagas society could be created in towns, cities and villages across Nagaland.

If the Nagas of Nagaland wish to settle down anywhere in contiguous Naga inhabited areas, a reciprocal policy of allowing Nagas from Nagaland can be carried out by the Apex Naga organisation and their Village Councils in their States. In this way, a truly inclusive universal Naga society can be built up in the lands of the Nagas with the Naga brotherhood spirit towards Naga Nationhood.

There is always hope for a better future and room for improvement. The RIIN policy needs slight tweaking firstly, to accommodate Nagas of other States bordering Nagaland who have been living there for generations and secondly, for giving opportunity to new applicants from Naga inhabited areas contagious to Nagaland state who wish to make Nagaland their home by fresh application.

After all, the occupation, tribe, number of persons, antecedents etc of the IIC seekers of PR category can all be regulated through rigorous vetting by the village and town/city committees and decision would be in their hands.

I firmly believe that a truly inclusive Naga society could be build up through a regulated RIIN framework towards fulfilling the primary goal of building a strong and united Naga society and Naga Lim.

We cannot be separated in interest or divided in purpose. We stand together until the end
— Woodrow T Wilson


* Ngaranmi Shimray wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was webcasted on October 08 2024 .



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Ningols to Mapam Lamdam #2 : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2024 : Timeline
  • Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) formed
  • Audition: Mister North East & Miss North East
  • Han Kang: Nobel Prize winner in Literature
  • Weeks of Flower's Bloom :: Poem
  • Stroke unstruck
  • Emerging geo-politics and what it portends
  • Thadou fillip to NRC move
  • Chakkouba Annual Fish Fair #1 : Gallery
  • India cant dismember Manipur historical status
  • Appointment of Liaison Officer in Bangalore
  • Quality of milk in Imphal
  • Governor Acharya & coffee table book
  • Careers related to cities for sustainability
  • Voice of protest against border fencing
  • Fish fair as launch-pad for increasing yield
  • Ningols to Mapam Lamdam #1 : Gallery
  • Themchuila, Kiipa, Jendum : eMing
  • Debate on Article 3 on status of Indian States
  • Indications on 5th Anniv of Naga Peace talks
  • Discrimination :: Poem
  • Looming threat of antimicrobial resistance
  • Do we study for a JOB ?
  • Ningol Chakkouba Shopping #1 : Gallery
  • Ningol Chakouba turning into social contest?
  • Thadou Convention 2024 : Declarations
  • Thadou Convention : Concluding Report
  • Manipur Campaign for Peace Worldwide
  • Online Global Fest @ Barak Festival
  • The Power of Poppy - 54 :: Poem
  • Four to attend 55th IFFI, Goa
  • Emergence of Manipur in history #1
  • Ningol Chakouba 2024 at Delhi
  • Rani Gaidinliu Sports Meet at Shillong
  • Thadou Convention passed resolutions
  • International Drug Users Day 2024
  • Fragrances to wear this Festive Season
  • Stay out, don't enter : CoTU to CM
  • Ooba Video : is now relaunched !
  • Countering false narrative with facts & figures
  • Sayol Taragi Jagoi : Gallery
  • A hypothetical reasoning in day dreaming!
  • National Unity Day at Manipur University
  • A Song Whispers In My Heart :: Poem
  • School inspection in Liangmai areas
  • Thadou Convention 2024
  • This Diwali think of the environment
  • Not the time to rub anyone the wrong way
  • Student bodies & healthcare system in state
  • Apangba Pandit : Folktale
  • 13th Annual General Meeting AMAND: Gallery
  • Urgent rollback of Kangpokpi district
  • 5th Rongmei Freshers' Meet 2024 at Delhi
  • Appeals to Prime Minister of India
  • Obit : Naga leader 'Uncle T A Ngullie'
  • Be what you want to be
  • Pointing fingers at the last 40 years
  • Helming the affairs in a polarised society
  • Thang Ta @Polo Tournament #2: Gallery
  • November Calendar for Year 2024 : Tools
  • Peace for all through legal ways
  • Cease War-Like Situation in Manipur
  • Ningol Chakoubagi yaipha paojel
  • Celebrate Diwali, light earthen diyas
  • Lady Justice holds Constitution & not blind
  • Send the report as sought
  • Unrest situation affecting neutral regions
  • International Dance Day #4: Gallery
  • Manipur, oh My Manipur
  • Chemistry Nobel Prize 2024
  • Barak Festival 2025 at Silchar
  • Liangnah School, Tamei : Cultural Day
  • 4th Death Anniv: Spility Lyndoh Langrin
  • Of bombs & monetary demands
  • Public outrage against extortion activities
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #5: Gallery
  • Golden Jubilee of Hamai English High School
  • 5th Northeast Fiesta at Jalandhar
  • Being Dumb :: Poem
  • Versatile visa interview for Bharat
  • Tale of potholed roads & more
  • Why food safety drives only during festivals ?
  • A Lotus in Mud :: Movie Screenplay
  • Komagata Maru :: Travellog
  • Understanding the theories of IDPs
  • BRIC-IBSD : Phytopharmaceuticals
  • The Power of Poppy - 53 :: Poem
  • Preserving audiovisual heritage as career
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • 133rd Manipur Police raising day #1 : Gallery
  • Pre-conditional talk needs differentiation
  • Nigerian delegation visited Manipur : Gallery
  • HIV response under lens of indigenous rights
  • Rash driving killing thousands in India
  • Skincare tips to get your Diwali glow
  • Protesting against Govt: Why target Meiteis ?
  • Afforestation vision limited to Imphal valley!
  • Fattaba Laushingi Namthak : Folktale
  • India International Science Festival 2024
  • Northeast Fiesta 2024 at Punjab
  • Amphibians most affected by climate change
  • Manipur violence, a litmus test for officers
  • A crisis for Meitei community survival
  • Stand against border fencing
  • Chakkouba, litmus test of benevolence
  • Manipuri Mythology & Folklore : Gallery
  • Fresh Water Pearl Farming in Manipur
  • RIST #60: Complex heterogeneous systems
  • District reversal- Restructure for State integrity
  • Unclasp the Fear :: Poem
  • Prognosis from MPCC : The last 17 months
  • Ban on chewable tobacco products
  • Indigenous Chothe Naga Tribe & its Identity
  • 13th Annual General Meeting of AMAND
  • IBSD: Exploring Microbial Bioresource of NE
  • Learning English communication in age of AI
  • 9th Brahmaputra Film Fest announces dates
  • Growing fears of technological disaster
  • 7 days since the Delhi do of Oct 15
  • Highway facelift fund for strife-hit state
  • Women drive the dry flower business
  • The Last Kangjei of Kanglei Sagol :: Poem
  • Nigerian dairy stakeholders visit Manipur
  • Promoting tourism at Thanga Chaoba Hilltop
  • Tababi calls for focus on women football
  • 9th Brahmaputra Valley Film Fest: PR & Media
  • Ibudhou Mongba Hanba & Hanuman Ji
  • Looking at the all round failure
  • Highway siege diluting UDAN success tale
  • 128th Jananeta Irawat @Shanglen #2 : Gallery
  • SN Chand: Lens of Brogendragee Luhongba
  • Will talks succeed in absence of Muivah ?
  • Attacking the villages of Scheduled Castes
  • Manipur deserves a responsible Government
  • Foot & Mouth Disease: Are farms ready ?
  • Understanding essence of normalcy
  • Aggressors playing the victim card!
  • Mera Houchongba @Konung #1 : Gallery
  • 'Imaging Manipur' :: Book Review
  • Nongpok Thong Hangba - The prophecy
  • Free & Safe Travels for All People
  • Diminishing trend of home garden practices
  • The Power of Poppy - 52 :: Poem
  • Keep your skin glowing during festival season
  • Floral tributes @ Cheiraoching #3 : Gallery
  • Debkumar Bose, Pioneer of Manipuri Cinema
  • Are we delivering new HIV prevention tools
  • Programm on Intellectual Property Rights
  • Medical Officer at RKM Hospital, Itanagar
  • Initial Management of Orthopedic Trauma
  • Of fake news & the unwanted stuffs
  • Missive to Modi exposes longing for CM's chair
  • Mera Chaorel Houba #2 : Gallery
  • Culture-saving literature with Somi Roy works
  • Puri Temple Kitchen- A sneak peek
  • Freshers / Farewell Party at IIIT Manipur
  • ST Status for Assam's Meeteis
  • 6th Guwahati Foodie Ethnic Food
  • SIT required to probe at Haoreibi
  • Looking back at the Oct 15 meeting
  • Task cut out for NIA
  • Ka Henna Pambei Mahei : Folktale
  • Mera Hou Chongbagi Pandam oihansi
  • 76th People's Unity & Democracy in Manipur
  • Genepool of endemic forest trees of Manipur
  • Welcomes Manipur peace meeting at Delhi
  • Was there a need for SoO pact with Kuki-Zo ?
  • Not to be Unlucky :: Poem
  • What points were put forward ? Questions
  • Artificial food crisis
  • Case for Manipuri as a classical language
  • 8th Wheelchair Basketball C'ship : Gallery
  • Child Abuse in a Connected World
  • Unity Triumph :: Poem
  • Environment & wildlife ethics for co-existence
  • Hand washing: Step towards healthier world
  • Questions on Delhi dialogue
  • Thriving extortion racket
  • Kwak Tanba @Sana Konung #1: Gallery
  • My Beloved :: Poem
  • World Mental Health Day 2024
  • Manipur's society : At a glance
  • Centre to meet Meitei, Kuki & Naga MLAs
  • RSS centenary celebration begins
  • Hypocrisy and Nari Shakti
  • Eyes on Delhi dialogue
  • Will Delhi talk break the stalemate ?
  • Manipuri Cinema & Status of Women
  • Skater Tiluck Keisham scripts history
  • Kollamani : vegetable cash crop in Manipur
  • World Sight Day 2024
  • Ghost of Kpi continues to haunt
  • Special cell to tackle extortion menac
  • Bor @Hiyangthang Lairembi: Gallery
  • Fellowship for Conflict Victim students
  • Armed Conflict in Manipur
  • From poppy fields to black markets #2
  • Yuval Harari exposes power & AI nexus
  • Stifling of Public Voice for Scheduled Tribe
  • The Power of Poppy - 51 :: Poem
  • Ema Panthoibi @ Mandalay, Myanmar
  • Chaga Ngee : Liangmai Post-harvest Fest
  • Celebrating ML : 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics
  • ST Status for Assam's Meeteis
  • Choices for women & girls for HIV prevention
  • 'Chawal Ka Atta' for glowing skin
  • Needed : A strong Opposition
  • No scheme benefits for unrecognised village
  • 128th Jananeta Irawat @Lilasing : Gallery
  • Attention : Dire condition of Pony
  • Search is Over ! :: Poem
  • World Mental Health Day 2024
  • Mental Health Camp at RGU
  • Antibiotic resistance: a new pandemic threat
  • ST for Meiteis campaign: Take steps for 2027
  • No respite from dengue threat
  • 70th Wildlife Week Celebration #1 : Gallery
  • World Mental Health Day, 10 October
  • Govt Schemes Nurture NE's Cinematic Talent
  • Political lies & drama amidst the violence
  • Are we on the path to end AIDS by 2030 ?
  • Manipur: A jewel under siege
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Playing SA card: Camouflaged under SoO
  • Alert over cut-off years in neighbouring states
  • Haudonggi Bichar : Folktale
  • AMWJU Golden Jubilee #2 : Gallery
  • Book release & Panel Discussion at Delhi
  • Manipuri language is classical
  • From poppy fields to black markets #1
  • 13 Aug: Heikat-Leikat #2 : Gallery
  • 'Samkhok' at 2024 Busan Intl Film Fest
  • The first use of weaponised drones
  • World Bamboo Day @Chiangmai #2 : Gallery
  • Rugby player Holina Ningombam
  • Maru Amashung Maasha : Movie screenplay
  • Mera Chaorel Houba #1 : Gallery
  • Cleanliness Day @GM Hall : Gallery
  • 128th Jananeta Irawat @Shanglen #1 : Gallery
  • 'Maral siriba matangda Wafam thamjari'
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #1
  • Useful Education Abbreviations
  • Student protest, injured [Sep 10]: Gallery
  • Students protest rally [Sep 09]: Gallery
  • Meira Rally @Tiddim Rd [Sep 08]: Gallery
  • Landscape of Kamjong District : Gallery
  • Sanamahi Cheng Hongba #2 : Gallery
  • Manipur Official Phone Directory : Search
  • Panthoibi Phijol Hongba @Mandalay : Gallery
  • HSLC (Class X) 2024 : Full Result
  • HSLC 2024 : Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2024 : Pass % : Private Schools
  • HSLC 2024 : Pass % : Aided Schools
  • HSLC 2024 : Pass % : Govt Schools
  • HSLC 2024 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2024 : Comparative Statement
  • Malemnganbi Laishram : Science Topper
  • Thokchom Sheityajit : Arts Topper
  • Aiena Naorem : Commerce Topper
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024 : Science Topper
  • HSE 2024 : Subject Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2024 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2024 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024: Science Full Result
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024: Arts Full Result
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024: Commerce Result
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024 : Arts Topper
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024 : Commerce Topper
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet
  • List of Kings of Manipur: 33 - 1984 AD