The Nagaland government on Thursday put on hold its June 29 decision to prepare Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN).
Home commissioner R. Ramakrishnan, in a release, said the state government is of the clear opinion that the present exercises are new initiatives and need consultations and deliberations with participation from all sections and stakeholders.
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The guidelines for implementation of the policies are still at an early stage of formulation and will be finalised after extensive consultations are carried out, Ramakrishnan said.
Towards this end, the government will hold consultative meets with all sections and stakeholders so that the exercise so carried out is in everybody’s interest and protects the rights of all citizens.
The government assured the citizens that it will not take any hasty decision but rather the process will involve and engage civil society and the citizenry of the state.
“No decision that is discriminatory or in contravention of the interest of people or any community will be undertaken,” the home commissioner said.
Nagaland chief secretary Temjen Toy issued a notification on June 29 for preparing the RIIN.
The preparation of registry should be completed within 60 days with effect from July 10, the notification said.
“The RIIN will be the master list of all Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland,” it said.
It was also aimed at preventing the issuance of fake indigenous inhabitant certificates.
While the Naga Students’ Federation asked the government to review its policy on RIIN, Naga Hoho feared the exercise could divide the Nagas.
The Angami Public Organisation sought a clarification from the government on the matter.
