EMN
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 10
IN continuation of their earlier joint representation submitted to the government on November 21, 2013, the Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) and Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) once again reiterated its firm stand for immediate revocation of the recognition of Rongmei tribe in the State of Nagaland. They hoped that the government will respond to the demand at the earliest to avoid confrontation.
In a joint reminder to the Chief Minister today, the NTC and ENPO stated that the Cabinet on July 23, 2012 agreed to recognise Rongmei as one of the Naga tribes in Nagaland against the recommendation of the government constituted fact finding committee.
They quoted findings of the committee as Recommendation: 4.1 “…….while entitling them to avail all the benefits of reservation to pursue employment and education will not make them an Indigenous Naga tribe of the State”.
However, overruling recommendation of the committee, the Cabinet gave political decision thereby setting aside the government constituted committee, the NTC and ENPO said while terming the decision as uncalled for.
They also pointed out that in the year 2003, “the Gauhati High Court in TA Rongmei and ors vs State of Nagaland and ors”, the petition seeking inclusion of Rongmei tribe in the State of Nagaland was dismissed by the court on the ground that there was no merit in the case.
They further pointed out that as per government of Nagaland notification dated 28th April 1977, the government had laid down criteria to be qualified as an indigenous person of the State of Nagaland where “a person should have settled permanently in Nagaland prior to 1-12-1963 and the person should have his/her name enrolled in the electoral roll published on 05-12.1963”.
The reminder brought to the notice of the CM that the documents of the electoral roll of Kohima district and Peren district of 1963 received from Election department, Nagaland said the names of Rongmei community not found/not available/could not be traced in the respective districts.
Therefore, it is explained clearly that recognition of Rongmei as a tribe in the State of Nagaland does not qualify in any manner, the NTC and ENPO stated.
The NTC and ENPO joint reminder was appended by NTC acting president Lendinoktang Ao and general secretary and ENPO president Chingmak Chang and joint secretary Manlang Phom.
