Minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs KG Kenye on Wednesday said that the state government was determined to implement the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) and would go ahead with the enumeration process across the state to safeguard indigenous identities.
Addressing the media after the cabinet meeting, Kenye, who is also the spokesperson for the state government, elaborated on the cabinet’s decision to empower the Banuo Commission, which is responsible for guiding the complex RIIN process.
Kenye emphasized the state’s need to protect its indigenous population, citing rising demographic pressures and increasing migration as key concerns. While acknowledging public discourse surrounding RIIN, Kenye stressed that the initiative was long overdue, aimed at addressing issues of indigenous identity and demographic challenges.
He said Nagaland was primarily inhabited by indigenous tribes, with a strong tribal identity rooted in customs, traditions, and religious practices. Over the years, the state has recognised two additional tribes that branched out from their parent tribes, further solidifying the importance of safeguarding the indigenous communities. He maintained that these tribes, whose ancestors had inhabited Nagaland since time immemorial, had a legitimate right over land, claiming that RIIN sought to protect this historical entitlement.
Kenye said the indigenous population, though limited in number, was often distinct from other groups in terms of culture and tradition. He mentioned that in a democratic set-up where the majority’s will prevailed, interests of smaller indigenous groups could be easily marginalised. To prevent this, he pointed out that special policies and resolutions were often introduced to protect these communities.
He also provided insight into Nagaland’s post-Independence history, focusing on the 16-Point Agreement signed between the central government and Naga leaders in 1960. After the state was created in 1963, efforts were made to integrate contiguous Naga-inhabited areas from neighbouring states like Manipur, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh. However, many Naga groups in these regions chose to remain in their respective states.
He clarified that these efforts to integrate Naga areas were unsuccessful not due to any lack of effort from Nagaland, but because of external pressures, including political sabotage by elements such as the Intelligence Bureau.
Despite these challenges, the Nagaland Legislative Assembly had adopted resolutions six times to continue pursuing the goal of integration. He assured that the issue remained a top priority, with the aspiration of unifying Naga-inhabited areas under one administration some day.
Highlighting the threat posed by demographic changes due to migration, the minister said the influx of non-indigenous population, including illegal immigrants, for over two decades had strained the state’s resources and threatened the indigenous communities’ cultural identity. Without proper checks, he warned that the indigenous people risked becoming minorities in their own land.
To address these concerns, he mentioned that the government had reintroduced the Inner Line Permit (ILP), a regulatory measure under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873. The ILP restricts the entry of outsiders into Nagaland, ensuring that the demographic balance remains in favour of the indigenous population. He mentioned that a new section was added to strengthen the law in 2019, empowering the state government to fully implement ILP provisions and protect its people.
The Banuo Commission, led former chief secretary Banuo Z Jamir, was tasked with overseeing the RIIN’s implementation. Kenye stressed that the indigenous people of Nagaland were not migratory by nature, unlike some of these communities.
He pointed out that groups like the Kukis had their kin scattered across the Northeast and were nomadic in nature, whereas the Nagas were traditionally settled in specific villages. He clarified that the government aimed to prevent the issuance of indigenous certificates to those who could not trace their ancestry to pre-1963 settlers.
As the government continues to deliberate on the finer details of RIIN, including the possibility of setting a last date for submitting claims for indigenous status, the issue remains sensitive.
He appealed for cooperation from all stakeholders, warning that resistance to the process could force the government to review its decision. He maintained that RIIN and ILP were restrictive measures aimed at protecting Nagaland’s indigenous population from external pressures.
Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to pursuing the aspiration of integrating all Naga-inhabited areas, he hoped that Nagaland’s indigenous people would continue to fight for their rights and preserve their identity in the face of growing challenges.
He also reiterated that the state government will conduct enumeration of the minority indigenous tribes of Nagaland namely– Kukis, Garos, Mikirs and the Kacharis.
New interlocutor: Referring to the resumption of talks between NSCN (I-M) and the Centre, Kenye highlighted the state’s efforts to ensure transparency and clarity as the process moves forward. He dispelled accusations that the Nagaland government’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) was attempting to sabotage the negotiations.
According to him, the peace talks aimed to discard previous decisions made up to October 2019 and seek a fresh start to resolve the ongoing Naga political issue.
He said the Central government was standing by two key agreements– the Framework Agreement with the NSCN (I-M) signed in 2015, and the Agreed Position with the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) inked in 2017.
“We are trying to resume dialogue afresh while ensuring that the Framework and Agreed Position are central to the process. The Centre has made it clear that both agreements are valid and will form the foundation for future discussions,” he explained.
Dismissing these accusations of interfering with the peace process, Kenye urged the critics to carefully review the sequence of events leading to the current situation. He pointed out that the government had clearly articulated its support for peace on various public forums, including the chief minister’s Independence Day speech, where the policy on the Naga political issue was spelled out.
Make agreements public: To maintain transparency, Kenye suggested that both the Framework Agreement and Agreed Position be made public, allowing citizens to access and study the documents. He reasoned that this would provide the people of Nagaland an opportunity to scrutinise and contribute to the peace process.
“There is no new document being developed, as some have speculated. We want the public to be involved, and we call on every citizen, leader, and stakeholder to study both the agreements and work towards a unified approach,” he suggested. He acknowledged that this would be a herculean task, but stressed collective efforts in reaching a sustainable peace.
Fearing that his limited political background might be a hindrance to advancing the talks, he also expressed concern about the current interlocutor. He pointed out that after former interlocutor RN Ravi, no new interlocutor had been appointed and the incumbent official was termed only as a representative of the Government of India, and not interlocutor.
He said he felt that a high-profile political personality would be more suitable to take the peace talks forward. He elaborated that someone with significant political clout could exert the necessary pressure and move the peace talks ahead, adding that the complexity of the issue demanded a leader of high stature who could navigate through the Prime Minister’s Office.
However, Kenye clarified that the state government had not yet established direct contact with the Centre regarding the appointment of a new interlocutor, but hoped for a favourable outcome soon.
He urged both the central government and Naga negotiating parties — the NSCN (I-M) and NNPGs —to work together and merge their respective positions. He said with the renewal of dialogue, a political resolution to the decades-old conflict might finally be within reach.
“There is an opportunity now for both parties to resolve the issue, and it is high time for the two agreements to converge. We are optimistic, but it is up to the negotiating parties to determine how far they are willing to go for peace,” he specified.
Lamhainamdi-Kiyevi issue: Kenye has reassured the public that the state government was doing everything in its power to address the ongoing tensions in Lamhainamdi-Kiyevi. He acknowledged the efforts made by the administration and security forces to contain the violence, but he also highlighted the challenges of maintaining law and order.
While the forces were in place and the situation was being monitored 24/7, he admitted that preventing violence was difficult, while expressing regret over the recent disturbances.
He emphasised that resolving such conflicts required judicial intervention, as the government alone could not handle them. He said the state government was working with the two tribal hohos to mediate and act as a catalyst for peace.
Hornbill: Kenye also said that the Cabinet had reviewed the preparations for the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival and said that all efforts are being made to make it an impressive event. He also expressed confidence that the people from Eastern Nagaland would take part in the event.