‘Follow March 31 deadline or face agitations’

JCPI submits representation on RIIN to CM

Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 19

Sending a firm message to the State government to implement Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) by March 31, 2021, a peaceful public rally under the banner of Joint Committee on Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI) signalled the government to “follow deadline or face consequences.”

In case of failure to implement RIIN by the given deadline, the JCPI threatened to start phase wise agitation all over the State.

The peaceful rally with people numbering more than 1000 started from DC Court junction, Dimapur till DC office premises where the representation to the Chief Minister from the JCPI was received by ADC, Dimapur H Atokhe Aye.

Rallyists held placards, some of which read, ‘protect the indigenous people of Nagaland,’ ‘differentiate birth report and birth certificate,’ ‘don’t sell my birth right,’ ‘Nagaland is a tribal belt,’ ‘one cut-off year 01/12/1963’ etc.

Through the representation, the JCPI on behalf of the apex tribal Hohos and aboriginal civil society organizations demanded immediate implementation of RIIN exercise through an ordinance with December 1, 1963 as the cut-off date and year.

“The exercise (RIIN) is expected to render clear-cut identification of the residents in the State for the purpose of maintaining our identity, culture and privileges as enshrined in the Constitution (thirteenth amendment) Act of 1962 inserted in the Article 371A of the Constitution of India,” the representation stated.

JCPI maintained that once RIIN classification is completed and specific laws are legislated, the full protection and privileges would reach the deserving stakeholders.

“Without RIIN our birthright will be lost forever; aboriginals will be reduced to secondary citizens in one’s own land. This very threat is no more an apprehension but an active process seen in the last few decades making Nagaland the next victim after Tripura in the North East India,” the JCPI added.

It also stated that the future security of Nagaland was exposed to all potential disadvantages and self destruction.

Further, JCPI reminded the State government that for the “Indigenous Inhabitant” of the State of Nagaland shall be December 1, 1963 as the base for cut-off date and year as per notification vide no AR-8/8/76 dated Kohima 28th April 1977. It also said that the State of Nagaland was delegated with the power to enforce the physical implementation of BEFR 1873 in the entire administrative jurisdiction of Nagaland but it was only with the December 9, 2019 notification that Dimapur was brought under its purview.

“The serious flaw in this notification is that the base year to determine the indigenous inhabitant is 21/11/1979, stating that Dimapur was constituted as Tribal Belt vide Land Revenue Department Notification No. LR/2-118/76. This is totally unacceptable as there cannot be two cut-off years to determine the Indigenous Inhabitant in the state of Nagaland which is already a tribal state since inception,” it added.

JCPI said it was pertinent to enforce BEFR 1873/ILP and RIIN and other laid down protective law of the land with a comprehensive digitalized infrastructure mechanism and standard operating procedure with 24×7 monitoring cell under the Home Department. “Only then there shall be smooth governance and effective implementation of the existing laws to protect our culture, identity and economy from outside threats,” the JCPI stated.

Highlighting the facts, the JCPI demanded the State government to immediately act on the Banuo Commission’s report and make necessary law to implement RIIN exercise with December 1, 1963 as the cut-off date and year in the entire jurisdiction of Nagaland through an ordinance within March 31, 2021 failing which, the public would not have any other option but to resort to different democratic protests to achieve the desired objective. The representation was signed by JCPI Convenor, Atomi Swu, Secretary, Tia Longchar and a number of representatives from various civil societies.

Earlier, addressing rally at DC Court junction prior to marching to DC office, Atomi said that the JCPI was not opposing any government or Naga national organizations nor was its demand depriving the rights of any individual or community. “Rather, we welcome anyone to live and do business with us but Nagaland cannot be a land of dumping garbage and be a state of lawlessness,” he said. He said that as much as Nagas respect the law of other States they go to, outsiders who come here should also respect the laws here.

Atomi said that the people should have the right to demand what is good for them and object what is not good for them.

President of Naga Tribal Union Chümoukedima, Lhousito said that by demanding implementation of RIIN, the JCPI was rather supporting the policy of the government as far as the issue of RIIN and ILP was concerned.

Ramesh Hasnu from Kachari Tribal Council Nagaland also addressed the rally and conveyed the Council’s support for implementation of RIIN.

Rallies held in Kohima, Wokha
Meanwhile, responding to JCPI’s call, similar rallies took place in Kohima and Wokha districts.

According to a statement released to the media, the Lotha Hoho organised a mini rally in Wokha on Friday at police point where the gathering was informed about issues related to RIIN and ILP.

Various frontal organizations including the Lotha Eloe Hoho (LEH), Lotha Youth Hoho (LYH), Lotha Students’ Union (LSU), Wokha Town GBs Association (WTGBA), Wokha District Village Chairman Association (WDVCA), Wokha Town Council Union (WTCU), Team Metamorphosis, Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WDCCI) and All Commercial Vehicle Association (ACVA) attended the mini rally.

They later marched to the Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) office where DC Wokha Orenthung Lotha, received a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister.

In Kohima, the JCPI represented by various tribal bodies submitted a representation for implementation of RIIN exercise through an ordinance at the Civil Secretariat, on Friday. The representation was reportedly received by the Principal Secretary to Chief Minister in the absence of the latter.
Honor voice of the people,
NIPF urges Nagaland govt

Dimapur, March 19 (MExN): The Nagaland Indigenous People’s Forum (NIPF) on Friday expressed dismay at the Nagaland government’s delay in the implementation of Inner Line Pass/Permit (ILP) in the State and also the Registration of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) even after the Commission had submitted its report.

Extending solidarity with the peaceful rally organized by the JCPI on March 19, the NIPF said that the rally is “a clear message that the Indigenous people of Nagaland is much concerned about the future and safety of the people of Nagaland…”

The NIPF, in this regard, appealed the government to hear and honor the “genuine voice of the people as expressed by the JCPI and various Tribal Hohos” in the form of the memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister without further excuses.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/follow-march-31-deadline-or-face-agitations