Dimapur, Oct. 25 (EMN): Several organisations from Peren district have objected to the state government’s move to prepare a Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN).
This objection was one of the four points jointly submitted to Governor RN Ravi by Zeliangrong Baudi (N); Civil Rights Forum; ZSUN; Chairman Union, Peren district; GB Association, Peren district; and Zeliangrong Mipui Organisation Peren “on behalf of all the public and citizens of Peren district.”
The representation to the governor was an outcome of the public mass rally organised on October 22 at Jalukie in Peren district, it informed.
“RIIN If applied at per se would be directly violating the traditional and customary rights of the Zeliangrong villages in the district against its citizens. It also is a direct violation of the Constitution of India Article 371(A) wherein Naga customary practices and its usages are upheld,” read the statement.
It stated that Zeliangrong citizens of Peren district, without distinction, “must be accorded equal citizens as sons and daughters of the soil as declared by traditional landowners”. Therefore, no cut-off year is applicable to recognised villages in Peren district to determine indigenous inhabitants, it added.
“That the district administration denying and depriving ST Certificates, BT Certificates or Indigenous Certificates to deserving candidates must be stopped forthwith,” it stated; and requested to governor to ensure all stakeholders are taken on board while expediting the demarcation of Peren district boundary now undertaken by a cabinet sub-committee.
