Kohima, June 26 (IANS) — Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday inaugurated the Kohima Village Multipurpose Hall at Ziekezou and urged Nagas to unite, protect indigenous identity and take collective responsibility to ensure an accurate and credible Census 2027, saying the count is crucial to safeguarding the state’s demographic and socio-economic interests.
Rio described the new multipurpose hall as a landmark not only for Kohima Village but for all Naga communities and organisations, a common platform to foster unity, goodwill and brotherhood. He said the project was funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs with additional state assistance and praised the Kohima Village Council for its unity, dedication and prudent use of government funds in completing the building.
Recalling his personal ties to Kohima, Rio said his family moved to the town during the insurgency in the mid-1950s, he completed his education there and has continued to live in the area. He noted that friendships and intermarriage had forged deep bonds between his family and the village community.
The chief minister commended Kohima Village’s inclusive character, saying its openness to people from diverse backgrounds had helped it grow into what is regarded as the largest indigenous village in Asia. He highlighted Nagaland’s distinct traditional institutions and said the British-era Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 — which introduced the Inner Line Permit system — recognised Naga customs and self-governance. Rio noted these constitutional safeguards persist under Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution.
Emphasising the role of village councils, the chief minister pointed out that Nagaland was exempted from the 73rd Constitutional Amendment because of its customary local governance. He explained that village councils select leaders by consensus rather than by electoral contests, a practice he said helps preserve unity and prevent divisions.
On the Registration of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), Rio said the exercise was introduced to protect indigenous rights after instances in which indigenous certificates were allegedly issued to non-Nagas. He clarified that while Indian citizens from other communities are free to live and work in Nagaland, indigenous status is reserved for native Naga communities and that village councils remain the competent authority to certify indigenous inhabitants.
Rio also urged regulation of the influx of migrant workers alongside efforts to equip local youth with job-ready skills. He encouraged young people to make use of government skill development and entrepreneurship schemes and financial assistance programmes, including collateral-free loans and interest subsidies.
Turning to Census 2027, Rio appealed to village councils, churches, tribal hohos, urban local bodies, civil society organisations and community leaders to ensure the upcoming census is conducted honestly and accurately. He recalled Nagaland’s rejection of the 2001 Census over abnormal population growth figures attributed to inflated enumeration and noted that the 2011 Census recorded a population decline. Rio warned that inaccurate census data has hurt planning, resource allocation, education and welfare schemes, and called on citizens to ensure the 2027 count reflects the state’s true demographic picture. “The data we provide today will determine the future of our children for decades to come,” he said, appealing for active public participation.
Original Source: https://tripurachronicle.in/national-news/nagaland-cm-calls-for-naga-unity-protection-of-indigenous-identity-ahead-of-census/
Category: National News
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Publish Date: 2026-06-27 08:08:00
