RIIN consultation should be without pre-conditions — Naga Mothers’ Association

Dimapur, July 16 (EMN): Citing the state government’s failure to implement ILP regulations across the state till date, the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) has expressed apprehension over the implementation of the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN).

According to a press release by the NMA on Tuesday, it was “deeply concerned about the notification” regarding RIIN.

“The NMA places on record that it has supported the stand of many other public organisations for   extension of the ILP over Dimapur, to check illegal immigrants/migrants into the state. It is surprising that while successive committees set up by the state government has recommended the extension of the ILP to Dimapur and foothill areas, the state government has not implemented these recommendations till date and instead issued a notification for almost a census like exercise in the form of RIIN,” the statement read.

The NMA has urged the government and the stakeholders to examine RIIN through the standpoint of the NRC ‘backlash’ in Assam and to have a “larger discussion before an immediate implementation of this massive exercise is taken.”

“As Naga women and mothers, we are equally concerned for the future and protection of the rights of our younger generation, but not at the cost of stifling public discourse and consultations, which is the inherent right of indigenous people of the state,” it stated.

The NMA also insisted on an “extension and implementation of the ILP at the earliest to Dimapur and foothill areas, with mechanisms enumerated in successive committee reports.”

It further demanded the withdrawal of the notification by the government and “public consultation be held without any pre-conditions on RIIN, recognising the rights of indigenous people to determine what is best for the people.”

The NMA also said that “pressures from the central government for early implementation, be it in the form of NRC or RIIN, should not override the age old democratic process of consultations, both at the state and grassroot levels for such policies, in the interest of indigenous people of the state.”