Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to protecting the indigenous identity of the Nagas, calling for stronger implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system with the support of village councils, institutions and the public. Speaking after inaugurating the Kohima Village Multipurpose Building on Friday, Rio said constitutional safeguards under Article 371A and the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873, have played a vital role in preserving Naga customary laws, traditions and the village governance system. He said these protections must continue to be upheld to safeguard the state’s distinct identity. The chief minister said village councils remain the only competent authorities to certify whether a person is indigenous to a particular village. While non-locals are legally allowed to live and work in Nagaland, he stressed that they cannot be granted indigenous status.
Rio urged village councils, landlords, employers, educational institutions and other stakeholders to ensure proper documentation of non-local residents to strengthen the implementation of the ILP system and prevent the misuse of indigenous certificates. He also appealed for public cooperation in the 2027 Census, saying accurate population data is essential for effective development planning and fair distribution of government resources. Referring to earlier census exercises, Rio said inflated population figures had affected planning in sectors such as education and welfare. He called upon civil society organisations, churches, village councils and citizens to work together to ensure that the upcoming census reflects the state’s actual population. Defending Nagaland’s traditional village governance system, the chief minister said village councils should continue to function through consensus and selection rather than elections. According to him, the traditional model strengthens unity, while electoral contests could lead to divisions within villages. Describing the newly inaugurated Kohima Village Multipurpose Building as a symbol of unity and brotherhood, Rio said it would serve not only the people of Kohima Village but also Nagas from across the state by providing a common venue for cultural, social and community activities.
He praised the Kohima Village Council for completing the project with financial assistance from both the Centre and the state government. Rio also announced additional funding to provide furniture, sound systems and other facilities for the building. Encouraging young people to become self-reliant, the chief minister asked them to make use of government skill development, entrepreneurship and micro-financing schemes. He said financial assistance is available for trained entrepreneurs to establish businesses and create employment opportunities. Highlighting the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS), Rio said more than 1.7 lakh beneficiaries have been enrolled under the programme, with the state spending over Rs 228 crore on cashless treatment. He urged eligible citizens to take advantage of the scheme. Earlier, Rio described the inauguration of the multipurpose building as a historic milestone for Kohima Village, calling it an important centre of Naga history that has demonstrated unity and visionary leadership by creating infrastructure for the benefit of people across the state.
