The CNTC feels that it is indeed disappointing and disheartening to be writing on this issue yet again, but when facts become totally distorted, it is morally wrong, both socially and politically incorrect to remain silent as this may create more rooms for further misgivings or otherwise. The CNTC, therefore, feels that it is high time Nagas learn to differentiate and draw a clear line between facts and propagandas. The CNTC clarifies its stand that it is not against the Naga Unity or any endeavor towards the much needed and yearned peaceful solution on the Naga Cause yet it is an undeniable fact that every particular tribe resides in a particular geographical area as a tribe which are further divided into different territories such as districts, states or even sovereign nations. But this can never be summed up to justify any member or group of Naga tribes living outside Nagaland to claim to be an indigenous tribe of Nagaland state just because they happen to be a Naga.
The CNTC never objected the Rongmeis being accorded the Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland state to those qualifying the norms of the Govt. notification dated the 28th of April 1977, No.AR-8/876 .However, the CNTC also makes the stand of the three tribes of CNTC clear to whomever concerned, that the recognition of Rongmeis with a tribal status of Nagaland state will be opposed and objected together with all the other Naga tribes of Nagaland till it is revoked. On the ongoing tussle involving the Rongmei recognition as an Indigenous Tribe of Nagaland, the CNTC takes this step in opposing the recognition of the mentioned tribe in the larger interest of the people of Nagaland and for the sake of our future generations. When the state government is not in a position and struggling hard to look after the welfare of the original indigenous tribes of Nagaland, what is their motive to include more tribes from Manipur state to create more socio-economic problems in our already beleaguered state of Nagaland? The move by the three apex hohos under the aegis of Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) on the de-recognition of the Rongmei in the state of Nagaland is a socio-economic issue and not of political one and is never detrimental to the Naga unity whatsoever in any manner, and thus the stand of the CNTC on Rongmei issue should not be misconceived or misunderstood in any manner by anyone.
Though it is not due to hatred against the Rongmeis brothers, yet the CNTC opposes the recognition of the Rongmeis as one of the indigenous tribe of Nagaland state because the CNTC feels that every tribe are recognized within their own present respective states and should remain so.
On the various allegations leveled on the CNTC by the Naga Hoho, the CNTC wants to makes this clear for all and sundry. Terming that it was the Naga Hoho only who was the one playing the ‘hide-and-seek game’ by twisting the facts and the details. The Naga Hoho claiming that it still represents the Naga people when majority of the recognized tribes of Nagaland has all walked out sensing its one-sided, biased and partiality in all affairs within and without, is a story in itself. When the Nagas of Nagaland have lost every bit of confidence in it and claiming it still represents the Nagas as a sad joke and a misnomer. It is no secret to anyone that The Naga Hoho clearly does not work for the concern of the people of Nagaland anymore and instead is more interested in the people of Manipur state which can be seen by any sane Nagas. But if the Naga Hoho still wants to absurdly claim that it represents the Naga people, it can take an open referendum to see if the people still have a faith and support for them. The Naga Hoho has become like a deadwood and except working tediously for some particular groups and section only.It has lost all its meaning and significance for which it was formed originally. The Naga Hoho must earnestly have a thorough soul searching why the ENPO walked out of it or the NTC emerged. If our other Naga brothers in Manipur state or elsewhere can form an organization why not we Nagas of Nagaland? If some group of tribes can come together for social cohesiveness or for solidarity, fraternity and unity, then why cannot the CNTC? On the Naga Hoho statement “Our valued federating units who are trying to tarnish the image of the Naga Hoho through undemocratic and unethical means shows only their lack of farsightedness” signifies the Naga Hoho undermining the wisdom and sanity of the Aos, Lothas and Sumis. It shows their blatant disregard and an insult on the intelligence and the judgment of the three apex bodies comprising the CNTC. The CNTC being now an apex body of the three tribes,viz. the Aos, Lothas and the Sumis have every right to direct its subordinate units.
When the CNTC deadline which expired on the 31st Aug.2016 was made known public in the local media and also an official copy of the ultimatum was handed over at the residence of the Naga Hoho president by a CNTC executive, denying it never received any official information is totally baseless and a lie. The Naga Hoho trying to salvage its image and calling a federal assembly on Sept.28th after a lapse of nearly one month when the deadline was already over was a total disregard to the sentiments of Nagas of Nagaland. Requesting its federating units, the Ao Senden and the Sumi Hoho to attend the assembly to discuss the Rongmei Issue was like bolting the stable doors only after all the horses has left. The fable of the snake biting the hand of the hands of a man who revived him while dying depicts the story of the Naga Hoho today. Naga Hoho is on the verge of disintegration due to its own folly and immaturity in mishandling the Rongmei issue in the first place. Even before the CNTC took up the Rongmei recognition issue some other tribal organisations of Nagaland such as the APO, CPO, ENPO, ZPO and NTC were already against it. So how can the Naga Hoho say the CNTC is misleading the Nagas? This clearly shows that the Naga Hoho has been completely unaware of what was happening and sleeping while its own kitchen was burning.
The CNTC would like to refresh the mind of the Naga Hoho by stating the following facts and details on this issue.
1.Concurring with the stand of other Naga tribes of Nagaland, the Angami Public Organisation(APO) on July 3,2013 has urged upon the chief minister Nagaland to issue notification to derecognize the Rongmei community as a recognized indigenous inhabitant Naga tribe of Nagaland and also “to put an end to the move to recognize Mao Community as an Indigenous Inhabitant Tribe of Nagaland State for the sake of justice, Naga unity, integration and simultaneously to protect the welfare of the public of Nagaland.”
In a representation addressed to the chief minister, APO president Keneingunyü Sekhose, informed that in view of the apprehension felt on the issue, the APO at its April 29 executive meeting decided, that opening of the door for recognition of other Naga tribes from other states (or country) would lead to demand by other Naga tribes of similar background such as Maos, Poumais, Tangkhuls, Hemis etc.
APO said if recognition was accorded as an inhabitant tribe of Nagaland, there cannot be stopping of similar demands by Naga tribes outside Nagaland and denying such would “ amount to discrimination.” APO also pointed to apprehension by Nagas of Nagaland, that they would be “overwhelmed and stampeded” if recognition was granted to others, as in the case with the Rongmeis in the last recruitment of Graduate Teachers of 2012 in Peren district.
Further, APO also cited the case of Withuiliu Newmai, of Tamenglong district of Manipur who obtained indigenous inhabitant Naga tribe/BT certificate of Zeliang tribe of Nagaland state, and was recommended by NPSC against Deputy SP post reserved for BT quota of Zeliang tribe of Nagaland.
APO said the issue of indigenous inhabitant certificates, BT certificates etc. has created a lot of animosity, hatred and ill feelings among the Nagas. Stating that till date, all Nagas hailing from different states and regions enjoy equal social Naga tribal status without any discrimination or distinction within the state of Nagaland, APO said the question of modification of the notifications of April 28,1977 by granting status to other Naga tribe as indigenous inhabitant Naga tribal status of Nagaland state was matter of great concern.
It viewed that an individual member of a particular tribe having immovable property or having resided in the state over a considerable length of time, did not qualify his tribe to be recognized as an indigenous inhabitant Naga tribe of Nagaland.
APO also reminded the disclosure made by Rongmei Council Nagaland while clarifying to the press statement of Western Sumi Hoho “that there is no Rongmeis land in Peren district till date.”
Furthermore, APO also highlighted the Gauhati High Court direction on November 22, 2012 which stated-as members of Rongmei Community did not appear in the Electoral Roll published on May 15, 1963 and also they did not fulfill the other conditions stipulated in the notification dated April 28, 1977 for issue of indigenous inhabitant certificate, indigenous inhabitant certificates are not to be issued to Rongme community.
In light of above submissions, APO has urged for creation of a strong mechanism to check and prevent misuse of indigenous inhabitant certificate while stating that it has created a lot of animosity, hatred and ill feelings among the Nagas.
2. Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) has resolved to oppose the inclusion/recognition of Mao and Rongmei tribes in Nagaland.In a statement, ENPO president Pongom Khiam said the decision was taken during the ENPO executive committee meeting held on May 4, 2013.
The meeting also resolved to seek appropriate clarifications from the state government with regard to the recognition of the two tribes in Nagaland.
Pongom Khiam said the meeting was attended by elected members from the ENPO jurisdictions (ENLU), ENPO officials, all frontal organizations (ENSF, ENGOA and ENWO), members of various committees and federating tribal units. ENPO however said it supported the bills for integration of Naga inhabited areas which have also been passed by the state Assembly which incorporated integration of land along with the people. The same were passed by both the Congress and DAN governments.
Subsequently close on the heels of the state government’s clarification over the issue of recognition of Rongmei tribe in response to the stand of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) Feb.1 2014, the ENPO vice president Yonglong Konyak and joint secretary Manlang Phom expressed support to all Naga communities/brethren in terms of needs or difficulties regardless of where they are from or where they are domiciled. Putting the record straight, ENPO said it stood absolutely for all possible moral and practical support to Rongmei Naga brethren in difficulties and was willing to go to any extend to defend and uphold their rights for social, political and economic rights in this regard, the signatories said the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of ENPO had on May 4 2013, resolved to facilitate the difficulties and aspirations of fellow Rongmei Nagas in fully supporting them to avail the ‘Indigenous Certificate’ of Nagaland for all practical purposes. However, ENPO said the CEC “equally resolved to oppose and object the recognition of the Rongmei as a tribal status of Nagaland for all practical hurdles and difficulties”. ENPO also made it clear to Rongmei brethren that the eastern Nagas of Nagaland should “not be misunderstood or misconceived” in any manner. ENPO made the stand of the six tribes clear to the government of Nagaland and the department and to put on record, that while it supported the status of fellow Rongmeis in Nagaland whose ancestors were listed in the 1963 E-Roll for status as indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland to avail ‘indigenous certificates’ for practical purposes and privileges, it opposed any proposition to accord recognition of Rongmei Nagas as Scheduled Tribe in Nagaland, as per the May 4 resolution. ENPO said the resolution was adopted under the aegis of CEC and attended by officials of ENPO, members of CEC, federating tribal students, colleagues, president and colleagues of all frontal organisations such as ENSF, ENWO, steering committee members, advisors, prominent leaders and senior members.
3. In a rejoinder to state home commissioner Temjen Toy’s statement on granting of indigenous tribe status to the Rongmei community in Nagaland, Zeliang People Organisation (ZPO) has stated that the cabinet decision on recognition of Rongmei community was “totally against the wills and welfare” of the Zeliang community. In a statement, ZPO general secretary Kiesamyi Irangaung and joint secretary Itingau Haihing said many reminders had been submitted to the state government on the issue but the latter had turned down “genuine grievances” of Zeliang community.The organization alleged that the cabinet decision on the recognition was notified without “ascertaining” facts and without “verification and any valid reason” in 2012.
ZPO once again reminded that an emergency meeting held on August 23, 2012 hosted by Heningkunglwa Village Council had resolved to initiate appropriate steps to safeguard the rights/privileges of the Zeliang people of Peren district in particular and Nagas in general. Stating that even the Gauhati High Court had issued an interim order to the state government, ZPO stated that the move to recognize Rongmei community in Peren district was “totally baseless” and contradicted the state of Nagaland.The organization recalled former chief Secretary L. Lungalang, who in his memorandum dated February 25, 1972 clearly stated that Naga tribes such as “Tangkhul, Mao, Zeliangrong etc. whose home are from place outside the present jurisdiction of the state of Nagaland cannot be treated as Indigenous to Nagaland.” ZPO said former joint secretary A. Shamungam in his notification cited criteria to determine indigenous inhabitants in April 1977 followed by other notifications issued by N.I. Jamir in August 1979, I. Longkumer in April 1983 etc.The organization also took exception to the home commissioner for ignoring and overruling court order passed by the Gauhati High Court after a case was filed by one T.A. Rongmei against the state of Nagaland dated July 10, 2003. ZPO also asked on what ground and basis the home commissioner stated that historical injustice to Rongmei has been rectified. It added that the state election secretariat had also given clarification that there was no particular Rongmei name found in the electoral roll of 1963 in Kohima and Peren districts and that there was “not even an inch of land” belonging to the Rongmei community in Nagaland.
ZPO pointed out the home commissioner Temjen Toy has however correctly pointed out Zeliang tribe was included leaving out Rongmei tribe as Zeliangs had their own ancestral land/territory in Nagaland whereas Rongmei community members were “invited from Imphal valley during later part” on October 19, 1965 by the then Tribal Council Chairman Namgaheing Iheilung to “cultivate land” which was reclaimable as clearly stated in his appeal.
The organization also alleged that the enumeration report submitted by the committee was “fictitious and baseless” and reiterated that the names of those (223) Rongmei enlisted in the list submitted was not from Peren district prior to the electoral roll of 1963.Alleging that the move to recognize Rongmei was “purely political gimmick and divisive policy of some politicians”, Zeliang People Organisation said it was made to create “disharmony among peaceful citizens in the state and Peren in particular. It has termed this policy of “dual identity” as discriminatory and was taking advantage of the “patience and meekness” of native Zeliang people of Peren district. ZPO reminded Temjen Toy to note the law of the land and “study the ground reality, fact and circumstances” before issuing clarifications and before becoming a “prey to a political trap.” Questioning the authority of the commissioner, Zeliang People Organisation said that if the government of Nagaland could accord sanction to Rongmei as an indigenous tribe of Nagaland, why not the same yardstick be followed for original Nagas living in Myanmar, Arunachal, Assam, Manipur so that equality and historical justice prevailed to the entire original Nagas.
Zeliang People Organisation added that this statement was issued based on fact and circumstances and to let every Naga intellectuals conscious of the pros and cons of Naga’s inherent rights and privileges per the given situation so as to respect the integrity of each and everyone besides giving peace a chance.
4. The CPO on Sept.28, 2016 maintained that any negotiated settlement that differed with this principle would render the outcome futile and so consent of all stakeholders must be taken for the talks to be inclusive so as that the outcome was honourable and acceptable to all people.
They also recalled that the state government notification on August 4,2012 was in pursuance of the cabinet decision on July 23,2012 to recognise Rongmei as one of the Naga tribes.
Chakhesang Public Organisation said such a status did not befit the community since they are already recognised as a tribe in Manipur besides not having any ancestral land in Nagaland. They however said the CPO was not inimical to accord indigenous inhabitant to the Rongmeis in line with the notification dated April 28,1977 issued by the government of Nagaland.
They urged upon the government to review the anomalies and loopholes in the Act in the greater interest of all Nagas.
A Naga will remain Naga no matter even if he/she settles in Arunachal, Myanmar, Assam, Manipur or anywhere but giving the status of an indigenous tribe is altogether a different matter. When Nagaland today has reached a saturation point in the government employment and scarcity of land and its resources, we cannot remain mute when the status of indigenous inhabitant tribe of the state is given to anyone who demands it.
The guideline notification dated the 28th of April, 1977 No. AR-8/876 had clearly defined the status of the Indigenous Inhabitants of the State of Nagaland. The criteria for determining a person to have had a permanent settlement in the state of Nagaland prior to 1-12-1963, must be a person whose name or parents’ name or legitimate guardian’s name, in case the person was then a minor should have been enlisted in the Electoral Roll published on 5-12-1963; or a person or his/her parents or legitimate guardian should have acquired property and possessed patta prior to 1-12-1963.
The Committee headed by J. Alam, IAS Home Commissioner, Nagaland clearly stated in its report “Such a status while entitling them to avail all the benefits of reservation to pursue employment and education will not make them an indigenous Naga tribe of the State”. Members of Rongmei community who are qualified as per the criteria as laid down by a notification dated 28th of April, 1977 No. AR-8/876 is entitled to be an indigenous inhabitant of the state of Nagaland. Nonetheless, such entitlement will not make them indigenous Naga tribe of the state.
THE STATE CABINET BLATANTLY DISCARDED THE EXPERT COMMITTEE FINDINGS AND HAD TAKEN POLITICAL DECISION TO RECOGNIZE RONGMEI TRIBE AS INDIGENOUS INHABITANT TRIBE OF THE STATE OF NAGALAND ON THE 23/7/2012 AGAINST THE POPULAR WISHES AND INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE.MOREVER, OUT OF THE TWELVE CABINET MINISTERS FOUR OF THEM DID NOT APPENDED THEIR SIGNATURE FOR THE RONGMEI RECOGNITION.
On the Naga Hoho claiming, their letter dated September 22, 2008 to the state government contained just the opinion and views of the Naga Hoho and not “endorsement” as alleged ,here the CNTC clarifies that the subject of the letter itself reads as “ GRANTING of status of Indigenous Naga Tribe to Rongmei Community settled in Nagaland.” As a matter of fact and to put the record straight the word “Granting” means yielding, surrendering, giving away, conceding or compromising and is much stronger than the word “ Endorse” which only means support or approval. The very subject of the letter states itself the Naga Hoho’s acknowledging the indigenous Naga tribe status for those Rongmeis of Nagaland on the letter itself. This is the root cause for this entire imbroglio which need to be corrected for once and all keeping the Nagas of Nagaland future intact and preserved.
Media Cell CNTC
