The Nagaland government is initiating an exercise to streamline the system of preparing a master list of all indigenous inhabitants of the State. To maintain the record of the indigenous inhabitants, a notification has been issued on June 29th, 2019. An exercise is to be carried out to register the Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland under Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) programe. RIIN is the master list of all indigenous inhabitants of the state which will be based on “an extensive survey”.

The State Government is considering the exercise to be a new initiative and hence it will require participation, consultation, and deliberations from all sections of the society. Various views, opinions, and concerns have been expressed by various sections of the society including people from civil societies and tribal hohos over the matter. Considering it to be a democratic approach, the concerns and observations expressed by different sections have been welcomed as a suggestion towards development.

Even though the guidelines for implementation of these policies are still at a very early stage of formulation, it will be finalised after an extensive consultation is carried out. The State Government will hold consultative meets with all sections and stakeholders towards the end. It is considering that the exercise, to be in every ones’ interest and to protect the rights of all citizens.

Assuring the citizens, the State Government has committed that it will not take any hasty decision. Rather it will see to it that the process involves and includes the civil society and the citizenries of the State, ensuring that no discrimination or violation of the interest of people or community is caused.