DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 26 (MExN): The GPRN/NSCN has resolved to strictly check and monitor the “rampant misuse” of Permanent Resident Certificates (PRC) by Village & Town Councils/GBs, and the “illegal practice of issuing Indigenous Certificates (IC) to individuals of doubtful identity by a number of state administrative officials.”
A press release from the MIP of the GPRN/NSCN informed that this was decided in pursuant to the Joint Council Meeting Resolutions (JCMR). “The Joint Councils took serious note of such matter, wherein responsible Village/Town Councils/GBs in contrary to age-old tradition and customary tenets, continues to indulge in rampant issuance of Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) to temporary residents and non-indigenous residents,” it said.
The GPRN/NSCN stated that such irresponsible acts let “persons of dubious identity to obtain personal identification and attestation certificate for government benefits, such as Aadhar Card, Pan Card, Driving License, Shop License, Arms License, Bank Account, Passport, and even to the extent of availing government job.”
It went on say that “local land lords especially in towns and cities are cautioned not to rent out their commercial buildings/flats randomly to individuals coming from outside Nagaland solely for business purposes. First preference of opportunity must be availed to locals under any compulsion.”
It further opined that if not certified by competent village authorities in accordance to governance guidelines, no individual can be accorded a status of indigenous citizenship. “Such individual with doubtful background should not be allowed to obtain Indigenous Certificate (IC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate,” it added.
The GPRN/NSCN said that numerous cases of indigenous land and building, especially in Dimapur town and its surrounding areas, have been possessed by non-indigenous residents “under dubious means.” “Any person who is not an indigenous citizen is barred to own a plot of land in Nagaland. In this connection the state administrative officials are advised to stop issuing Indigenous Certificate(IC) to any person of doubtful identity,” it said.
