The Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Thursday held a detailed discussion under Rule 50 on the matter of “Safeguarding the Rights of Indigenous Communities,” with several legislators expressing concerns over rising illegal immigration, demographic changes, and the need to protect the rights of Nagas.
Raising the issue, MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu warned of “alarming demographic changes” particularly in Dimapur district over the last two to three decades, which he said should serve as a “wake-up call for the Nagas.” He maintained that “it is not an abstract demand but the right of every indigenous inhabitant to be able to decide on the matters of their land.” Nienu proposed a series of measures including a door-to-door census of migrants, creation of deportation centres, strengthening police outposts, and the constitution of a dedicated Department for Indigenous Affairs.
Minister for PHED and Cooperation, Jacob Zhimomi, while participating in the discussion, reflected on the “lack of dignity of labour” in Nagaland which, he said, has led to dependence on migrant workers and contributed to unemployment. He stressed the need to inculcate work culture in children “so as to build a vibrant Nagaland and be at par with the rest of the states during Viksit Bharat 2047.”
Advisor for School Education and SCERT, Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, observed that labour migration is driven by “lack or surplus” of opportunities and said most businesses and manual jobs in Nagaland are now carried out by outsiders. He urged protective mechanisms to safeguard indigenous rights and highlighted the importance of protecting children, land, biodiversity, and frontier areas.
MLA Dr Sukhato A Sema raised concerns about refugees settling permanently in the state and called for “a concrete and robust mechanism from the top bureaucrats to the village level” to check illegal immigration. He also supported the creation of a Department of Indigenous Affairs.
Advisor for Food & Civil Supplies, K.T. Sukhalu, drew attention to the shortage of indigenous language teachers, noting that there are only 143 language teachers in the state compared to over 2000 Hindi teachers. He suggested recruitment of more language teachers “to help the younger generation know their own culture, their language and the importance of their indigenous identity.”
MLA Dr Neisatuo Mero emphasized that indigenous peoples have special rights under international and national law, citing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. He cautioned that unchecked influx of immigrants would “ultimately lead to demographic changes and affect the indigenous people socially, economically and politically.” He suggested strengthening ILP checks at Dimapur airport and railway station, empowering indigenous youth with skills, and balancing development with preservation of culture.
MLA Dr Tseilhoutuo Rhutso proposed that every village should maintain monthly birth records and annual death records, which he said could serve as reference for determining indigenous inhabitants and aid census exercises.