Dimapur, September 29 : Maintaining that the most contentious issue in public domain today is the recognition of Rongmei as indigenous tribe in the State of Nagaland, the Nagaland Tribes Council while referring to the statement of the Chief Minister in the NPF seminar/workshop on Wednesday alleged that he is “either shying away from its official responsibility to address the issue or intending to misguide the general public”.
Chairman, Media Cell, NTC, Theja Therieh, in a release today quoted the Chief Minister as saying in the seminar, which appeared in local dailies on Thursday, “the matter was in the court, following the case filed by ZPO, discussion in public domain was not appropriate and may seem like interfering the court procedures”.
“Taking shelter under the Writ Petition in question by State Government is understandable that particularly the Chief Minister wants to keep the recognition alive,” the NTC said.
It stated that the petition filed by ZPO representing the native Zeliang people of the State is amply clear that it has not challenged the notification No. HOME/SCTA-6/2007 (PT.I) dated Kohima, the 4th August, 2012 that had given recognition to Rongmei as indigenous tribe in Nagaland.
“ZPO’s Writ Petition challenged Rongmei’s indigenous inhabitant status and the Hon’ble High Court had given interim orders restricting issuing of indigenous certificate to members of Rongmei Community,” the NTC said.
Since the ZPO did not challenge the issue of recognition of Rongmei as indigenous tribe of Nagaland, the “question of subjudice” either to discuss it in public domain or interfering in the court procedures does not arise, it opined. Rather, the NTC said, to retain the recognition or to revoke the order lies in the court of the State Government.
CNTC reiterates stand on dissociation
The Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has firmly reiterated its stand on the disassociation from the Naga Hoho on the Rongmei tribe recognition as an indigenous tribe of Nagaland. It reiterated its stand at a meeting with all its constituent units of three tribal apex bodies on Thursday, Media Cell, CNTC said in a release.
After thoroughly deliberating on the approach of the State Government and the Naga Hoho on forming any committee to review the issue, it was resolved that any issue pertaining to the three tribes in general in regard to the Rongmei tribe recognition will be initiated only under the aegis of the CNTC and not separately, the release asserted.
