The Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) said it should not be mandatory for Nagaland’s 16 recognised tribes to provide indigenous certificates for enrolment in RIIN.
WSH proposed that before the guidelines and modalities of the register are implemented, a proper case study of all the 16 recognised tribes across Nagaland should be done.
The case study is necessary to avoid any loopholes or misunderstandings afterwards, it observed.
The WSH said these 16 tribes are already recognised and indigenous inhabitants of the state and there is no need to provide indigenous certificates from their native villages.
Also read: Nagaland: RIIN discussed thoroughly in Assembly, Rio calls for unanimous support
This was stated in a release issued on Monday by WSH president Dr Khakheto Zhimomi and general secretary Kisheto Chishi.
“Any step detrimental to these settlers from our own state be avoided which will invite unpleasant repercussions amongst us,” it said.
Also read: Nagaland govt forms 3-member commission to study & advise on RIIN
The Hoho said it expects that everything will be done in a fair manner by the commission set up by the state government.
The commission has been set up to study, examine, recommend and give advice on all issues to chalk out the modalities for the conduct of exercise.
It reminded the government that it had assured that no decision would be discriminatory or in contravention to the interest of the people or any community.
On July 27, the state government constituted a three-member commission under the chairmanship of former chief secretary Banuo Z. Jamir.
The commission had been asked to submit its report within three months from the date of its constitution.
The Hoho said a community from the 16 recognised tribes settled anywhere in Nagaland post 1963 is still a bona fide citizen of Nagaland in that particular area.
“So, there should not be any question of acquiring certificates from their ancestral villages,” it said.
The Hoho pointed out that thousands of families and villages belonging to the 16 tribes of Nagaland had settled all over the state post 1963 due to several reasons.
It reiterated its appeal to the government to seriously study history and facts in order to avoid any negative ramification during the process.