Nagaland: Ex-PAN urges state govt to implement RIIN

Ex-Parliamentarians Association of Nagaland (Ex-PAN) has urged the state government to swiftly implement Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN).
In a representation addressed to the state chief minister, Ex-PAN president Joshua Sümi and secretary Merentoshi Jamir welcomed the state government’s decision to extend ILP to the entire state including Dimapur. The association, however, maintained that unless the state government was adeptly equipped to face the challenges, especially by the local administration, the success of implementation “may not be totally guaranteed.” Highlighting the threat of illegal immigrants particularly from Bangladesh entering Nagaland following eviction drives in Assam, Ex-PAN stressed the need for a robust mechanism to distinguish bona fide Indian citizens from outsiders while protecting constitutional rights.
Describing RIIN as the key benchmark for identifying indigenous Nagas, the association, however, expressed disappointment that, despite the Banuo Z. Jamir Commission submitting its final report on July 27, 2020, and government assurances, RIIN remained unimplemented more than a year after its decision to ensure implementation in October 2024.
Ex-PAN pointed out that old system of issuing indigenous certificates and schedule tribe certificates to identify citizens of Nagaland were all flawed and were being misused every day.
To ensure the strict implementation of the ILP as well as to protect the genuine citizens of the country, Ex-PAN suggested that the state government must have in place a solid foundation on which the mechanism to identify genuine citizens from the aliens was fortified. It said that one such was to immediately put in motion the RIIN.
Further, the association suggested starting the registration exercise with indigenous Nagas or simultaneously with all citizens. It cautioned against beginning exclusively with non-Naga communities to avoid misinterpretation.
Ex-PAN, therefore, urged the state government to take immediate initiatives for RIIN with right earnest. It cautioned that keeping the issue in cold storage for long only generated negative impact.