Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland

Why in news?

The Nagaland government has initiated a move to implement its own version of the citizenship register.

What is Nagaland’s initiative?

• The Government of Nagaland has decided to set up a Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN).

• [This comes 4 years after Assam started revising its National Register of Citizens (NRC). Click here to know more]

• The aim is to prevent fake ‘indigenous inhabitants’ certificates.
• The RIIN will be the master list of all indigenous inhabitants of the state.
• The process will be conducted across Nagaland and will be done as part of the online system of Inner Line Permit (ILP), which is already in force in Nagaland.
• The entire exercise will be monitored by the Commissioner of Nagaland.
• In addition, the state government will designate nodal officers of the rank of a Secretary to the state government.
• Their role will be to monitor the implementation, and will have no say in the adjudication process.

How does it work?

• Survey - The RIIN list will be based on “an extensive survey”.
• The preparation of the list will start from July 10, 2019, and the whole survey process will be completed within 60 days from the start.
• The list would be prepared under the supervision of the district administration.
• It will involve official records of indigenous residents from rural and (urban) wards.

• Provisional list - The database will note each family’s original residence, current residence as well as the concerned Aadhaar numbers.
• This provisional list will then be published in all villages, wards and on government websites.
• Review procedure - Over the next 30 days (from provisional list), claims and objections can be made.

• Respondents will be given an opportunity to make their case before the authorities.
• Eventually, respective Deputy Commissioners will adjudicate on the claims and objections based on official records and the evidence produced.
• This process will be completed before December 10, 2019.
• RIIN - Based on the adjudication and verification, a list of indigenous inhabitants will be finalised.
• The final list or the RIIN will be created and its copies will be placed in all villages and ward.
• Electronic copies of the list will also be stored in the State Data Centre.
• A mechanism or electronic and SMS-based authentication will be put in place.
• Each person will be given a unique ID.
• All indigenous inhabitants of the state would be issued a bar-coded and numbered Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate.
• Updation - Once the RIIN is finalised, no fresh indigenous inhabitant certificates will be issued.
• The only exception is newborn babies of the indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland.
• Those left out of the RIIN will have to file an application before Home Commissioner.
• S/he will get the matter verified and take necessary action for updating the RIIN if needed.

What are the likely challenges?

• The Assam experience shows that in the complex demographies of the Northeastern States, the registration process may not be that easy.
• As many as 40 lakh people were left out of the NRC listing in Assam, in the alleged process to filter out ‘illegal immigrants’.
• Indeed, in Nagaland, various local attempts have been made to determine non-locals, non-tribals and non-Nagas.
• Efforts have been taken to identify what some people refer to as the ‘Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrant’, but not full-fledged.
• The situation on the ground is already volatile and the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act is routinely extended there too.
• All these pose significant challenges to the citizenship registration process.

What lies ahead?

• Other than deepening the existing differences, the registration process in Assam has not led to any substantial gains.
• Given this, the Nagaland government should facilitate the right to appeal and a humane hearing for those who are left out.

Source: Indian Express, The Hindu

Quick Fact

Inner Line Permit (ILP)

• ILP is an official travel document required by Indian citizens residing outside certain “protected” states while entering them.
• The ILP is issued by the Government of India.
• With the ILP, the government aims to regulate movement to certain areas located near the international border of India.
• ILP’s origin dates back to the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873, which protected the British Crown’s interest in tea, oil and elephant trade.
• It prohibited “British subjects” or Indians from entering into these protected areas.
• After Independence, in 1950, the word “British subjects” was replaced by Citizens of India.
• Also, the focus of the ban on free movement was explained as a bid to protect tribal cultures in northeastern India.