The Sümi Hoho has made a strong appeal to the Nagaland Government for the “prompt and effective implementation of the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN).” This initiative is deemed essential to “safeguard the identity, rights, and privileges of the indigenous people of Nagaland,” ensuring that “the unique heritage of our communities is preserved for future generations.”
In a statement, the Sümi Hoho emphasized the urgency of the matter, acknowledging that “in a rapidly changing world, where external influences and migrations continue to shape our region, it is more critical than ever to protect the indigenous people’s distinct identity and cultural heritage.” It highlighted that the RIIN serves as “a legal safeguard to prevent the dilution of indigenous rights,” allowing only those with genuine ties to the land to claim the benefits and protections afforded to native inhabitants. The organization expressed concerns that “without RIIN, there is a risk of misrepresentation, which could result in the erosion of our cultural fabric.”
The Sümi Hoho further articulated that the establishment of RIIN is necessary to maintain social harmony. By clearly defining and documenting who qualifies as an indigenous inhabitant, the group believes it can “prevent future conflicts or confusion over land ownership, customary laws, and political representation.” It asserted that “a transparent and well-implemented RIIN will also strengthen the framework for equitable development and resource allocation, ensuring that benefits and opportunities are fairly distributed among the rightful citizens of Nagaland.”
Commending the Nagaland Government’s recent decision to move forward with the implementation of RIIN, the Sümi Hoho urged for “its swift execution.” It reiterated that the “cut-off date of December 1, 1963, must be applied uniformly across all regions of Nagaland, including Dimapur.”
The organization expressed strong opposition to the proposed alternative cut-off date of November 21, 1979, for Dimapur, deeming it “not acceptable as it would create inconsistencies in the verification process.” It stressed that “a single, unified cut-off date is essential for fairness and to uphold the integrity of the indigenous identity throughout the state.”
The Sümi Hoho stated, “We believe that the verification process for Indigenous Inhabitant Certificates should be conducted with the highest level of transparency and fairness.” He emphasized that the “active participation of traditional village authorities and institutions will ensure that the process remains legitimate and credible.” In this context, the Sümi Hoho has pledged “full cooperation with the government and relevant authorities to facilitate a smooth and fair verification process.”
Moreover, the apex Sümi organization urged the government to implement strict measures to prevent any misuse of the verification process. They clarified, “This is not to exclude anyone, but to ensure that the RIIN fulfills its original purpose of protecting the rights of indigenous people in a way that is fair and just to all.” The Sümi Hoho urged that “any claims must be handled carefully to avoid errors or exploitation of the system.”
The Sümi Hoho called on the Government of Nagaland to “implement RIIN without delay, following the cut-off date of December 1, 1963, uniformly across all regions.” They assured their “full cooperation in this crucial process” and reaffirmed their commitment to “safeguarding the future and identity of the indigenous people of Nagaland.”
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