No ST certificates for non-Sümi lineage: WSSU

Against the backdrop of recent reports, Western Sümi Students’ Union (WSSU) has reiterated its unwavering stand against the issuance of Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Indigenous Certificates to individuals whose parental lineages were not of Sümi Naga origin, or those who did not belong to any recognised Naga tribe under the customary and constitutional frameworks of Nagaland.
In a statement, WSSU president Ikato Khulu and general secretary Vitoka N Rochill expressed deep concern over several recent instances despite their April 14, 2025 press release wherein they had explicitly clarified their position on this issue. Warning that it will not remain a silent spectator, and would initiate action in coordination with the district administration, WSSU pointed out that all suspicious cases would be thoroughly reviewed such as- those involving adoption, mixed parentage, and particularly where Sümi Naga women married to non-Sümi individuals and whose children were adopting maternal surnames or attempting to claim ST status through the mothers’ lineage.
WSSU directed all such individuals to rectify their official documents in alignment with their paternal lineage, in accordance with Naga customary law. They warned that failure to comply would result in appropriate action as deemed fit by the union in consultation with the relevant authorities. Further, WSSU disclosed that it had discovered Indigenous Inhabitant Certificates (IICs) being reportedly issued to many non-local individuals based solely on their inclusion in old electoral rolls (e-rolls of 1963, 1973, and 1979. WSSU maintained that such records were insufficient evidence to establish genuine bona fide citizenship since Nagaland statehood.
WSSU also claimed that there were cases where names of individuals’ forefathers appeared in old e-rolls, but the applicants themselves were born and brought up in other states, only to return and claim indigenous status in Nagaland based on these outdated documents.
According to WSSU, issuing IICs under such circumstances without cross-verifying the applicant’s bio-data, origin, and domicile constituted a grave misuse of the system. Affirming that such actions amounted to systematic exploitation, WSSU urged the authorities concerned to exercise due diligence in thoroughly investigating each applicant’s background, lineage, current domicile status and refrain from issuing certificates purely based on the e-roll lists without substantial supporting documentation. It urged verification on whether such individuals were enjoying dual identity – one in Nagaland and another in their respective home states.
WSSU demanded that no certificate should be issued without a transparent and evidence-based inquiry, especially in cases that raised doubts about the applicant’s genuineness, origin, or intent.
WSSU disclosed that certain individuals from the Naga community in Manipur were also allegedly claiming dual Indigenous benefits, enjoying citizenship in both Manipur and Nagaland. The WSSU leaders called upon the authorities to conduct a comprehensive verification of Indigenous Certificates already issued, and deny issuing the certificate to individuals whose Naga origin or permanent residency in Nagaland was doubtful or unproven.
Reiterating that it stood fully committed to safeguarding the identity, rights, and legitimacy of the Sümi Naga community and, more broadly, the sanctity of the Naga identity, WSSU said it would continue to advocate for just and lawful measures to prevent abuse of the system and protect the interests of genuine Indigenous inhabitants.