Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio on Friday called for a truthful and accurate Census 2027, urging village councils, churches, tribal hohos, urban local bodies, civil society organisations and community leaders to ensure honest enumeration, saying inaccurate census figures in the past had adversely affected planning, allocation of resources, education and welfare schemes in the state.
Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the Kohima Village Multipurpose Hall at Ziekezou, Rio recalled that Nagaland had rejected the 2001 Census due to abnormal population growth figures caused by inflated enumeration, while the 2011 Census recorded a decline in population.
“The data we provide today will determine the future of our children for decades to come,” he said, appealing for active public participation in the census process.
Rio said the responsibility of ensuring an accurate census rested with every section of society, stressing that reliable population data was essential for effective planning and equitable distribution of resources.
The Chief Minister also reiterated the need to protect the identity and rights of indigenous Nagas through the Registration of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN). He said the exercise was introduced after instances where indigenous certificates had allegedly been issued to non-Nagas.
Clarifying the objective of RIIN, Rio said Indian citizens from other communities are free to reside and work in Nagaland, but indigenous status is reserved for native Naga communities. He added that village councils remain the competent authority to certify indigenous inhabitants of their respective villages.
He also called for regulating the influx of migrant workers while encouraging local youth to equip themselves with skills needed to take advantage of employment opportunities. Rio urged young people to make use of government-supported skill development programmes, entrepreneurship schemes, collateral-free loans and interest subsidy initiatives.
Speaking on Nagaland’s traditional governance system, Rio said the state enjoys constitutional safeguards that protect its customary institutions. He noted that the British administration had recognised the distinct customs and self-governance practices of the Nagas through the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, which introduced the Inner Line Permit system, while these protections continue under Article 371(A) of the Constitution.
He also said Nagaland was exempted from the 73rd Constitutional Amendment because of its traditional village governance system, where village councils function through consensus-based selection rather than electoral contests, helping preserve unity within villages.
On the occasion, Rio described the newly inaugurated Kohima Village Multipurpose Hall as a facility that would serve not only Kohima Village but all Naga communities and organisations by promoting unity, goodwill and brotherhood.
He congratulated the Kohima Village Council for completing the project, saying it reflected the village’s unity and prudent utilisation of government funds. He noted that the project was supported by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs with additional assistance from the State Government.
Advisor for School Education Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, who hosted the program, said Kohima Village has played a significant role in the growth of Nagaland but also faces socio-economic pressures arising from rapid urbanisation. He said the new multipurpose hall was intended to serve all Nagas by providing a venue for community gatherings, meetings and cultural programs.
The program was attended by Ministers, Advisors, MLAs, administrative heads, tribal leaders and other dignitaries.