Northeast Desk, 22nd September: The Nagaland government has introduced new guidelines to protect the rights of indigenous people in the state by streamlining the issuance of Indigenous Inhabitant Certificates (IIC). Announced on September 20 by Home Commissioner Vyasan R, the revised rules are designed to ensure that only eligible citizens from recognized tribes receive these certificates.
The IIC will be granted to members of 15 recognized Naga tribes, including Angami, Ao, Sumi, as well as the Kachari, Kuki, Garo, and Mikir (Karbi) tribes, in accordance with the Constitution (Nagaland) Scheduled Tribes Order, 1970. To qualify for the certificate, applicants must trace their lineage to a recognized village in Nagaland.
Each village will have a Village Verification Committee responsible for verifying applications. The committee, nominated by the Village Council Chairman, will include village leaders and representatives from various community groups. The application process will involve thorough ancestral verification, and any false information provided by applicants or village authorities will result in criminal prosecution and penalties.
The notification also requires that newborns be registered for an IIC within six months of birth, further strengthening the new guidelines.