Dr Jamir expounds on handling RIIN

Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, Oct 27 : Against the backdrop of the contentious issue of preparation of Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) and at a time when the Naga political issue was expected to see an early resolution, former Governor and also former Chief Minister of Nagaland, Dr SC Jamir has categorically pointed out that Nagas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Myanmar are not indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland State.
Dr Jamir, who is a surviving member of the Naga People’s Convention (NPC) that signed the historic 16-Point Agreement, made this remark while addressing the launch of Nagaland Indigenous People’s Forum (NIPF) Saturday at the Auditorium of Don Bosco School, Dimapur.
“We have Nagas in Manipur, Arunachal, Manipur and Burma but they are indigenous of their respective States and country. Just because they are Nagas, they can’t claim to be indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland,” said Dr Jamir.
He illustrated his point by citing the example of Chinese people inhabiting different parts of the world. Dr Jamir said the mainland China does not claim that all of them should be indigenous inhabitants of China.
“Nagas of Nagaland should not be confused, nor intimidated by any elements or vested interest on this vital issue,” said Dr Jamir.
The veteran Naga political leader said the issue of identifying indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland should be approached dispassionately and with political foresight as it would affect the lives of the inhabitants of Nagaland, now and in future.
The former five-time Chief Minister of Nagaland who also served as Governor of several States for 14 years, said that while deliberating on the subject, a broader view should be maintained without any prejudice – be it communal, tribal or even religious.
“The issue of indigenous is both emotive and sensitive and yet our deliberations should not be emotional nor sensational,” said Dr Jamir. He pointed out that at present Nagaland State covers a little over 16,000 sq km with about two million population and by 2050 Nagaland is projected to have about five million population.
“We must know that space available at present is not sufficient for the indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland and the population will keep increasing whereas the area shall remain the same and job opportunities will be very limited if we go by the present trend and rate,” cautioned Dr Jamir. The former Governor of Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Odisha then said that when the State was over burdened, nothing should be done to overload the State by bringing “extra luggage from outside”. Dr Jamir said survival of people of Nagaland, especially the younger generation, would be determined by the decisions of the present leadership of the Nagas on the indigenous issue.