KOHIMA: On the issue of the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio informed that the state government had issued fresh notifications in September 2024 laying down clear criteria for the issuance of Indigenous Inhabitant Certificates (IIC). He said the initiative aims to safeguard the rights and privileges of indigenous inhabitants while ensuring transparency and clarity in the process.
Rio was speaking at the Deputy Commissioners Conference 2026 commenced on Friday at the Civil Secretariat Conference Hall, Kohima, bringing together district administrators and senior officials for two-day long deliberation on key governance and development issues in Nagaland.
Highlighting the role of traditional institutions in the RIIN process, Rio noted that village councils have been entrusted with the responsibility of verifying indigeneity through Village Verification Committees. These committees are tasked with validating applicants’ ancestry and linkage to recognized villages in Nagaland, he added.
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Rio reiterated that traditional governance systems remain central to administration in the state and called on deputy commissioners to work closely with village and tribal councils to ensure effective implementation of policies in the interest of the people.
The Chief Minister outlined the detailed process under the RIIN framework, stating that applicants must provide ancestral details, including paternal lineage up to the great grandfather along with village identification. In cases of adoption, relevant disclosures are also mandatory.
He informed that applications, after verification and attestation by the Village Verification Committee, are submitted to the area Administrative Officer for further scrutiny. Following this, the applications are forwarded to the DC with recommendations within a stipulated time frame.
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Highlighting on tribal councils and the implementation of the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), Rio underscored that tribal councils form an integral part of Nagaland’s governance framework, rooted in the provisions of the 16-Point Agreement. He noted that alongside village councils, these traditional institutions play a vital role in local self-governance, dispute resolution, and preservation of customary laws and practices.
He stated that while village councils function at the grassroots level, tribal councils represent the collective interests of tribes and assist the state government in maintaining law and order, promoting harmony, and facilitating settlement of disputes. Emphasizing their importance, Rio urged Deputy Commissioners to actively engage with these bodies and seek their cooperation for informed and inclusive decision making.