Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN)

The Nagaland government has decided to form a joint consultative committee (JCC) for taking an exercise to register Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN).

• The decision was taken at a meeting on April 17, 2021 with leaders of the community-based and social organisations as well as political parties in State capital Kohima.

• In July 2019, the Nagaland government launched the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), seen as a variant of Assam’s National Register of Citizens.

• December 1, 1963 — the day Nagaland attained Statehood — was the cut-off date for determining the “permanent residents” of the State. Apart from non-Nagas, the “outsiders” implied Nagas living in areas beyond the boundaries of Nagaland could be left out of the RIIN.

• The Naga people belong to the Indo-Mongoloid group of people living in the contiguous areas of the North Eastern hills of India and the upper portion of Western Myanmar.

• The major-recognised tribes of Nagaland are Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Khiamniungan, Kuki, Konyak, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Sumi, Yimchungru and Zeliang. The Naga languages differ from tribe to tribe, and sometimes even from one village to another. They are, however, under the Tibeto-Burma family.

(Sources: The Hindu and Government of India)