Lotha Hoho (LH) has expressed strong opposition to the deputy commissioner (DC) Kohima’s recent notification with regard to 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.
In a press note, LH chairman Er. Mhondamo Ovung and general secretary Tsupon Murry stated that the notification of the DC Kohima has set an arbitrary qualifying date.
LH reminded that the state government notification dated April 28, 1978 clearly specifies the qualifying cutoff date as December 1, 1963, which it said was for all those other than native Nagas of Nagaland.
The hoho also pointed out that the report of the Nagaland Commission on Register of
Indigenous Inhabitant of Nagaland (RIIN), which was said to have been presented in the last Budget session of the assembly, was still being studied by the state government.
LH said the state government has not issued any directive memorandum on RIIN implementation. Also, it said that as per the RIIN commission report, the eligibility cutoff date was to be December 1, 1963.
The Lotha Hoho has, therefore, questioned as to how the DC could set his own “arbitrary date” as the cutoff date for eligibility to be indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland.
Stating that DCs of Dimapur, Chumoukedima and Nuiland had also issued similar notifications earlier, the Hoho said it opposed the actions of the DCs of Kohima, Dimapur, Chumoukedima and Nuiland. LH urged Nagas to “note this error” and oppose the arbitrary actions of the DCs.
Further, asking the responsible DCs to withdraw their notifications on the matter immediately, the LH cautioned that they would be held responsible and accountable to the Nagas of Nagaland for any “unpleasant eventuality” that could arise.