Nagaland: ILP implementation in Dimapur under process, says Rio

Dimapur: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday said the implementation of inner line permit (ILP) in Dimapur district is under process.

Addressing the platinum jubilee celebration of Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) at the Dimapur district sports complex, Rio said the non-Nagas who settled in Dimapur before 1963 - the cut-off year for permanent residency - would be given permanent resident status.

“We cannot dislocate and do injustice to any Indian citizen because we are under the Indian Union,” he stressed, adding other communities should also be included in the state.

He reminded that when Nagaland attained statehood, not only the Naga tribes of Nagaland but also the Kukis, Kacharis, Garos and Karbis were declared tribes of the state.

He added that since they were declared tribes of the state, they will be known as non-Naga indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland.

Rio said the permanent residents, including non-Naga permanent residents, will get the “privilege.”

On the Register of Indigenous Inhabitant of Nagaland (RIIN), Rio said the government is yet to decide on it.

He added it will be decided only after consultations with tribal hohos (bodies) and civil society organisations of the state.

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Rio, however, said it will not be conducted like census or electoral roll process, adding a village in Nagaland is the authority to decide who is indigenous and who is non-indigenous.

On the Naga issue, he said it is lacking a solution because “we are not united.”

“It is high time that we unite. Our goal should be focused, or our attention should be one,” he stressed.

Rio noted that everybody, including the Nagaland political groups, overground people and state politicians, is calling for integration of all Naga tribes and other communities who had come to Nagaland and made the state their home.

Saluting the NCD for its vision for unity and oneness, Rio said the organisation’s past leaders had sown the seeds of unity, wisdom and togetherness.

“We should continue their vision,” he said.

While congratulating the NCD for celebrating its 75th anniversary under the theme “celebrating Naga unity,” Rio said it is a platform for unity and oneness.

In his address, NCD president Etsungmomo Kithan said the organisation was formed to address the pressing need for unity of the Nagas and the diverse communities in Dimapur for peaceful coexistence.