JD (U) lauds PDA govt. over Inner Line Permit, Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland

Suggests enacting elaborate law on adoption through legislation

Dimapur, July 3 (EMN): The Nagaland unit of Janata Dal (United) has lauded the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government for its decision to bring Dimapur under the purview of Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) 1873 and to introduce Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) in the state.

In the meantime, JD (U) has expressed its concern through a press release, stating that the very purpose of the PDA government’s initiatives will be defeated unless certain crucial issues are addressed before implementing it.

“At the outset, the issue of adoption must be earnestly addressed. The Indian Constitution Article 371 (A) guarantees rights of Naga customary and procedures. Therefore, the adoption of non-Nagas by Nagas as per customary law becomes significant. The question whether these adopted non-Nagas, as per the special guarantees of the Indian constitution, will be given indigenous rights is surely a subject matter of serious concern. It can open a floodgate for conversion by default given the fact that Nagas are vulnerable,” read the statement.

While recalling the Naga Students’ Federation’s (NSF) stand “Nagas by Blood not by Adoption,” it stated “this is only a principle of a student pressure group which has been the core (issue) for decades but outside the purview of an established law.” So, it has suggested the government to enact an elaborate law on “adoption” through legislation in the State Assembly, addressing all requirements and taking all stakeholders into confidence.

The party stated that ‘given the clarity of1st December 1963 as the basis for the entitlement to be given recognition as an indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland, there should be a thorough sensitisation of the Naga populace, especially, the Village Councils through workshops and seminars by involving civil societies, students bodies and tribal organisations as preliminary exercise before the main policy of RIIN is launched.’

It also welcomed the dismissal of the PIL on ILP by the Supreme Court.