Implementation of RIIN in Nagaland will take time: CM Rio

KOHIMA: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday said that the implementation of the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants (RIIN) will take time as the same has to be rolled out in different phases.

Addressing a section of the media after the inauguration of the Automated Library and Online Training Room of Nagaland Legislative Assembly here, Rio said the government has segregated the 'Indigenous Inhabitant Nagas' and the hill tribals of Northeast.

"The Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) Act is not only for the Nagas, but it's for the whole eastern hill tribals and (the) 1979 notification which declared the Dimapur sub-division under Kohima district is a tribal area belt," Rio said.

The reports submitted by the Committee on the enactment of Register of Indigenous Inhabitants (RIIN), was recently approved by the Nagaland Cabinet.

It may be mentioned that the Joint Committee on Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI) has been spearheading the movement for the introduction of RIIN in Nagaland.

Clarifying on the delay in implementing the RIIN, Rio stated that deadlines should not be set by any section, and people should be aware of the formalities, and should let the government function properly.

"Any Naga, Kuki, Kachari, Garo and even non-Nagas settled in the Naga hills pre India's independence and 1963 will get a status. We have to give protection to everybody", the Chief Minister said.

CM reacts to Guv's order against 'seditious' posts by govt employees

Reacting to the letter written by Governor RN Ravi to the Chief Secretary ordering action against all state government employees who write 'seditious' and 'subversive' posts on social media platforms, Rio said any person, be it government official or the general public, who writes anything which is against the interest of the state, will be punished as per law.

Rio on Talks with Niki Sumi-led NSCN-K

With regards to the meeting with the Niki Sumi-led NSCN-K, the Nagaland Chief Minister informed that the Joint Legislative Forum is yet to discuss the issue.

"We were the first to welcome Niki to join the negotiations and settlement... that speaks volume. If necessary, we will personally meet and have meetings", Rio added.

Meanwhile, the CM informed that during the upcoming Assembly session scheduled to start from Feb 12, issues like the Indo-Naga political issue, the power revenue collection, and the SARFAESI ACT 2002 will be discussed.