The consultative meeting on the exercise for creation of the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) at State Banquet Hall in Kohima on Wednesday evening resolved to support the register.
The meeting was participated by legislators, tribal hohos, civil society organisations, NGOs, senior citizens and government officials.
The meeting, after a detailed discussion, adopted a two-point resolution, an official release said.
The release said the meeting unanimously resolved to support and extend cooperation to the state government for implementation of the register.
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It was also resolved that the process of enumeration for implementation of the register would be carried out only after consultations with all stakeholders and the final modalities/guidelines are agreed upon.
In the meeting, the tribal hohos and civil society organisations were given an opportunity to express their thoughts and suggestions for effective implementation of the register.
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The release said all the tribal hohos and civil society organisations present endorsed the decision of the state government for creation of the register and expressed their desire to support the initiative of the government.
However, they asked the government to give sufficient time to have further discussion on the matter and suggested the necessity to work out clear and practical modalities to be adopted while exercising the register.
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, in his address, called upon all the tribal hohos and civil society organisations to cooperate with the government in this endeavour.
He said the government alone would not be able to carry out this task and urged all concerned to be part of the exercise by way of engaging themselves with the common people at the grassroots level.
Rio added as suggested by tribal hohos and civil society organisations, the government would also reconsider the timeframe and work out the modalities with the help of various stakeholders.
The meeting was chaired by chief secretary Temjen Toy while introductory remarks were given by deputy chief minister Y. Patton.
Besides Rio, Patton and members of the Assembly, senior state government officials and office-bearers and representatives of the Angami Public Organisation, Ao Senden, Chakhesang Public Organisation, Chang Kulei Setsang, Konyak Union, Khiamniungan Tribal Council, Lotha Hoho and Phom People Council were present.
Moreover, members of Pochury Hoho, Rengma Hoho, Sumi Hoho, Western Sumi Hoho, United Sangtam Likhum Pumji, Yimchunger Tribal Council, Zeliang Peoples Council, Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation, Nagaland Tribes Council, Central Nagaland Tribes Council and Naga Mothers Association attended the meeting.
Members of Eastern Nagaland Women’s Organisation, Naga Students Federation, Eastern Naga Students Federation, Nagaland GBs Federation, Naga Council Dimapur, Joint Committee on Prevention of Illegal Immigrants and Senior Citizens Association of Nagaland were also present at the meeting.
However, Opposition NPF legislators abstained from the meeting.