Dimasa Youth Organisation challenges Rio’s migrant remark on Kacharis, citing historical and official records
DIMAPUR — The Dimasa Youth Organisation Nagaland (DYON) has strongly objected to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s reported description of Kacharis as ‘migrants’ in Nagaland, stating that the remark contradicts the community’s documented history and the state government’s own official records.
In a press release, the organisation asserted that Kacharis are indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland, with deep historical and ancestral ties to Dimapur.
It said the Chief Minister’s statement misrepresents historical facts and creates a misleading narrative about the community’s presence in the state.
The organisation pointed out that Dimapur was once the capital of the Kachari Kingdom, which predates the 9th–10th century and existed centuries before Nagaland attained statehood as India’s 16th state on December 1, 1963.
Citing historical accounts, including Ahom Buranjis, British official records and other historical literature, the organisation said the Kachari, or Dimasa, Kingdom had a centuries-long presence in Dimapur.
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It added that remnants of the kingdom, including carved monoliths and other archaeological structures, continue to stand as evidence of the community’s historical connection to the region.
The organisation also referred to successive Census records, from the British era to post-Independence India, which it said documented the presence of Kacharis in Dimapur.
Highlighting official recognition by the Nagaland government, the organisation cited a Land Revenue department memorandum dated November 7, 1979, which listed Kacharis alongside Naga tribes as indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland.
It also referred to a notification issued later that month that included Kacharis among the communities residing in the Dimapur Tribal Belt.
Further, the organisation pointed out that the Constitution (Nagaland) Scheduled Tribes Order, 1970, recognises Kachari as a Scheduled Tribe in Nagaland, describing this constitutional status as further evidence of the community’s established roots in the state.
It also recalled that the state government had previously stated that Kacharis were residing in Nagaland before December 1, 1963, and that eligible descendants could obtain Scheduled Tribe and Indigenous Inhabitant certificates, subject to verification.
In view of these historical and official records, the Dimasa Youth Organisation maintained that describing Kacharis as migrants was inconsistent with the state’s documented position and called the Chief Minister’s remark into question.