The Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has expressed concern over alleged use of pressure and threats for house listing and population census enumeration in Kohima.
DIMAPUR — The Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has expressed concern over alleged use of “pressure, threats, and coercion”, asking temporary residents of Kohima to undergo house listing and population census enumeration at their present addresses despite completing the exercise in their native districts or villages.
In a representation addressed to the chief secretary, the CNTC appealed to the Nagaland government to immediately halt what it described as "coercive census practices in Kohima" and safeguard the rights of all Naga citizens, asserting that the state capital belongs equally to all Nagas irrespective of tribe; and that they have the "inalienable right to live, work, study, and pursue a livelihood in Kohima with dignity, security, and complete freedom from fear, intimidation, or discrimination."
The CNTC alleged that temporary residents are being pressured to undergo enumeration by linking the process to the issuance of essential public documents and services, including ration cards, residential certificates, and other civil documents.
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Such actions, it said, are unlawful and deeply damaging, contravening the principles governing the conduct of the Census under the Census Act, 1948, as well as infringe upon the fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 19(1)(d) and Article 19(1)(e) of the Constitution of India.
“Any form of coercion, intimidation, or discriminatory treatment during the census process is wholly unacceptable and undermines the rule of law, public confidence, and the unity of the people of Nagaland,” it stated, adding that failure to address such actions could risk eroding public confidence in the administration and weaken the bonds of unity and fraternity among the Naga people.
The council, therefore, urged the government to immediately issue written directives to the district administration, and all officials associated with the census process, prohibiting any form of coercion; ensure that the exercise is conducted strictly in accordance with the Census Act, 1948 and Census of India guidelines; essential public documents and services are not linked to census enumeration; and “publicly reaffirm that Kohima, as the capital of Nagaland, belongs equally to every citizen of the State”.
The CNTC assured to extend its fullest cooperation to ensure peaceful and successful conduct of the Census.