Dimapur, Jan. 21 (EMN): Following the recognition of Tikhir as a separate Naga tribe, the Home department, through a notification dated January 20, issued modalities and guidelines for adherence by the members of Yimkhiung and Tikhir communities and by all in the interest of peace, tranquility and harmony.
Modalities and guidelines for Yimkhiung, Tikhir communities
- Granting recognition to the Tikhir as a separate Naga tribe should not involve any geographical delineation or demarcation of any area.
- The people in those villages having Yimkhiung and Tikhir families, who have lived in harmony over the ages and have evolved their own laws and customs governing ownership of land and its usage, should not attempt to divide villages according to the community they belong and the same should not be allowed. Existing habitation should remain as it is.
- Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC) and Tikhir Tribal Council (TTC) should jointly give undertakings, to the effect that no coercive measure should be adopted by them to ensure retention/ reversion of any member of the Tikhir community to Yimkhiung community and vice-versa.
- member of the Tikhir/Yimkhiung community, wherever they are, should have the freedom to choose the community to which he/she belongs.
- Either community, in separate place of worship, anywhere, with service conducted in the chosen dialect should not be prevented/ obstructed in any manner by the other group.
- Holding of any public gathering such as conferences, crusades, general meeting by any community at any location in the areas inhabited by Yimkhiungs and Tikhirs should not be obstructed on grounds of landownership. Permission granted to any group or community should also have no relevance to any claim of traditional landownership at those locations/areas.
- Separate tribal recognition of Tikhir should not affect any prevailing land ownership issue as they are not connected and status quo would be maintained.
The notification was issued with the approval of the cabinet conveyed on January 20, it was informed.
