Kuki Inpi Nagaland president urges calm over RIIN exercise

Two-day Wangala Mini Hornbill Tribal Festival begins in Dimapur

DIMAPUR — The president of Kuki Inpi Nagaland (KIN) L Singsit on Thursday asked the four minority tribes of Nagaland—Garo, Kuki, Kachari, and Mikir (Karbi)—not to be apprehensive of the ongoing remuneration process for the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) and encouraged them not to sell their lands or leave their homes.

He was speaking at the opening event of the two-day Wangala Mini Hornbill Tribal Festival at Samaguri village in Dimapur, organised by Nagaland Garo Tribal Council in collaboration with Tourism department.

Singsit, a retired IPS officer, said that the four tribes need not be apprehensive of the RIIN exercise because the Association of Indigenous Minority Tribes of Nagaland is in consultation with various tribe hohos, Central Nagaland Tribes Council, and Nagaland government to discuss any unease related to the issue of RIIN.

He informed that the response from ‘most of the people’ is positive, and the four communities need not be ‘scared’. Further, he reminded them not to sell their lands because of the RIIN issue ‘but rather stay strong and live comfortably in their home in the state.’

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He also reminded the people to support one another and uplift each other. He briefly highlighted the history of the minority tribes.

Singisit reminded them that they share many similarities among them and should take advantage of such similarities. He also extended appreciation to the state government for supporting them financially to celebrate their festival.

Sharing the gist of the festival, Rahul Sangma, GB of Eralibill village, said that Wangala is a post-harvest festival celebrated by the Garo community.

He shared that in this festival, the Garo people give thanks to ‘Misi Saljong’, the god of fertility, for blessing the people with a rich harvest. The festival is traditionally celebrated for two-three days.

He also reminded that there are five Garo villages in the state, namely Darogapathar, Eralibill, Dubagaon, Ekranipathar, and Samaguri.

During the celebration, Cha’ chatsoa was performed by Samaguri village, Wangala dance by Eralibill village, and Samaguri village.

Other highlights were cultural displays by Kuki cultural troupe Phaipijang, Dimasa cultural troupe, Bamunpukhri, Mech Kachari cultural troupe, Kushiabill, and Karbi cultural troupe.

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