Pointing out that the Gorkhas have been associated with Nagas even before the Nagaland statehood, the Dimapur District Gorkha Indigenous Forum (DDGIF) has rejected the alleged suggestions made by Dimapur Gorkha Union (DGU) and Gorkha Students’ Union Dimapur (GSUD) that the cut-off year for Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) should be 2018.
Addressing a press meet that was called at Circuit House here on Thursday to dispel rumours and misleading statements being made, the DGGIF co-convenor, Dipak Lama, cautioned that DGU and DGSU would be held responsible for any eventuality arising out of their suggestions regarding cut-off year. He stated that the forum stood by the suggestions made by Naga tribal hohos and JCPI and would respect the decision of the state government with regard to RIIN.
Stating that DDGIF was particularly formed to unite and safeguard the genuine indigenous Gorkhas of Dimapur district and support Joint Committee on Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI), the forum co-convenor accused the DGU and GSUD of undermining the efforts of DDGIF and that of Nagaland Gorkha Association (NGA).
Lama stated that the forum has been tirelessly working for the Gorkhas of Dimapur pertaining to RIIN and Inner Line Permit (ILP) in collaboration with NGA and JCPI. DGGIF co-convenor, however, expressed regret that DGU and DGSU did not even a single meeting to discuss RIIN issue despite repeated invitations and reminders.
Meanwhile, DDGIF has vehemently condemned the “notification” allegedly issued by GSUD president, Anand Gurung that accused a few groups of people of misguiding the public pertaining to ILP and RIIN and cautioned people to stay away and not to entertain such “contagious group.” In this regard, DDGIF has questioned whether the GSUD president was pointing out finger at the JCPI since it was the sole group spearheading the RIIN and ILP issues. DDGIF has also demanded reply form GSUD president pertaining to threats made on his facebook post. In the event of his failure to reply, the forum demanded “unconditional apology” and resignation from the post of GSUD president.