DIMAPUR, Jan 17 - Nagaland Governor RN Ravi today said that the negotiations between the Central government and the Naga political groups have concluded successfully.
Addressing the first day of the fifth session of the 13th Nagaland Assembly in Kohima, Ravi said the government has conveyed its deepest appreciation to all stakeholders for exhibiting utmost sincerity, foresightedness and a spirit of understanding in helping create an atmosphere conducive for conclusion of the talks in a positive manner.
Mentioning about the meeting of the Joint Legislators� Forum on Naga Political Issue held on November 13 last year, he appealed to all stakeholders to continue the spirit of unity and oneness so as to facilitate the final solution to the prolonged Naga political issue which is honourable, acceptable and recognises the uniqueness of the history of the Naga people.
He lauded the positive role played by various tribal Hohos, mass-based organisations, churches and civil societies who made every effort to help create a favourable atmosphere so that the negotiations between the various parties could proceed unhindered in a positive direction.
Ravi also appealed to all the State governments and the people of the neighbouring States to show the highest level of understanding and extend all possible cooperation so that the peace process, which has now reached a very critical juncture, concludes in a successful manner in the interest of enduring peace and stability in the entire region.
On the Citizen (Amendment) Act 2019 (CAA), Ravi said there were concerns raised over the possibility of the indigenous people of the State getting demographically overwhelmed and seriously marginalised by people from outside because of the provisions of the Act. He said the State government had brought to the notice of the Centre the special status being enjoyed by Nagaland under Article 371A.
He added that this in conjunction with the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime that is in force in the State do not provide any ground for applicability of CAA in the State.
He said that the State government had taken a decision on December 9 last year to extend the ILP to the entire district of Dimapur in view of the concerns raised by various quarters of the grave situation that may arise in the district because of possible large-scale influx of illegal immigrants as well as the visible worsening of law and order situation on account of entry of anti-social elements and groups of various shades from outside.
Ravi said safeguarding the rights and identity of the indigenous people of the State has always been at the forefront of the government�s concerns.
In this connection, he said, the government has taken a decision to create the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) which envisages identification and making a master list of all indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland. He said the creation of RIIN will clearly identify the indigenous people as well as the non-indigenous persons who have permanently settled in the State. This will also help in proper and effective implementation of the ILP regime in the State, he added.
Ravi, however, said that the RIIN exercise raised several issues and concerns from various quarters with regard to its modalities. Hence, the government has constituted a commission to study, examine and advise it on all issues related to the exercise, he said.
Ravi said once the commission submits its report along with recommendations, it will be tabled in the Assembly for further deliberations.
