MVSU protests non-issuanceof ST, indigenous certificates

Mishikito Village Students’ Union (MVSU) staged protest against non-issuance of Indigenous Inhabitant and Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates to residents of Mishikito village under Chümoukedima district.
Questioning the state government, the MVSU alleged that the decision has deprived students and youth of their fundamental rights and educational opportunities. Addressing a press conference at Mishikito government primary school on Monday, MVSU vice president Hekatoli Awomi, said that despite being born and brought up in the village, and being “a true Naga by Blood”, people of Mishikito village were suddenly stripped of their rights to obtain Indigenous Inhabitant and ST certificates since the beginning of this year.
She stated that the state government decision was affecting the career and future of the students. She alleged that two students from the village were deprived of appearing central exams as they could not obtain the certificates. Awomi said that villagers had provided all required documents, including NOC, but their applications were still being denied. Meanwhile, MVSU general secretary, Libo Kinny informed that Indigenous and ST certificates were issued to the villagers until last year. However, she said that starting from this year, the administration has denied issuance on the grounds that Mishikito Village is an “unrecognized village”.
Further, Kinny revealed that Chümoukedima district administration had advised the residents to apply for certificates from neighbouring recognized villages. She, however, questioned why should they take residential proof from another village when their official documents, such as voter ID, Aadhaar, and others, bore the address of Mishikito Village. She said that doing so would require students and all residents to change their address across all documents. Further, MVSU literary secretary, Kiyepu Kiba, informed that there were currently around 550 students, excluding educated unemployed youth, from Mishikito village, many of whom have been unable to apply for scholarships as they lacked Indigenous and ST certificates.
Meanwhile, it was informed that the union, along with village councils and representatives met with the Chümoukedima district administration on October 9. The union stated that Mishikito village was formed in 2002 and officially named as Mishikito village in 2009.