Concerned Citizens of Kohima (CCK) has opposed notification issued by deputy commissioner’s (DC) Kohima on publication of the draft updated list of non-Naga local indigenous Nepali/Gorkha residents of the district with June 11, 2016 as the qualifying date for inclusion in the list. The notification stated that the period for filing claims and objections has been scheduled from August 22 to September 5, 2023.
In a joint statement signed by Dr Seyiekietuo Zieprü, Medoselhou Keretsü, Kethozhapu Angami, Dr Neiphi Kire, Vizovoto Nagi, Lhuphrevilie Rino, Kesao Kesiezie, Kevisekho Chücha, Dr Viketoulie Pienyü, Robert N Solo, Nisavi Hieme, Kuolachalie Seyie, Nitho Nakhro, Asa Angami and Ako Meyase, called for its revocation at the earliest in the interest of peace and tranquillity before a situation was created that could go out of control.
CCK said not only the people of Kohima, but all right-thinking citizens and organisations across the state should oppose such “mischievous, biased and prejudiced notification” that has the potential to create social and civil unrest in Naga society. According to CCK, it was unbecoming of a highly educated person to act irrationally on a very sensitive fundamental issue that would open the floodgates for all other districts and many other tribes or community to include themselves as indigenous inhabitants.
While this appeared to specifically apply to Kohima district, they cautioned that once a precedent was made, it would spread to all other districts and deprive the genuine indigenous local Nagas of Nagaland of their many indigenous rights and privileges, which would eventually erode the fabric of the community.