DIMAPUR — The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has lauded Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his government for their continued commitment to safeguarding the rights and identity of Nagaland’s indigenous people and preserving the state’s cultural heritage.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the union stated that it “sincerely appreciates” the chief minister’s emphasis on indigenous protection during the golden jubilee event of Tenyimi Union Dimapur.

At the event, Rio had highlighted the importance of unity, responsible governance, and the protection of indigenous rights, reiterating that indigenous status is strictly based on ancestral lineage and settlement within village jurisdiction. He cautioned that false certification would invite legal consequences, including criminal prosecution.

The DNSU welcomed the chief minister’s clarification that indigenous identity is non-transferable beyond one’s native village or district and that the government remains committed to enforcing existing laws to prevent misuse.

The union also expressed confidence in the chief minister’s assurance that further steps regarding the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland would be implemented fairly and in line with the recent court verdict.

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“The chief minister’s statements affirm the commitment of the administration to safeguard the interests of the true indigenous inhabitants, ensure due process, and avoid arbitrary actions,” the statement read.

Further, the DNSU acknowledged the government’s efforts to strengthen the Inner Line Permit system, including the introduction of new guidelines and an online portal aimed at better regulation and protection of Nagaland’s demographic identity.

The union reaffirmed its support for the government’s initiatives to uphold indigenous rights, stating that it looked forward to “continued responsible governance and inclusive development in safeguarding Nagaland’s heritage.”