KOHIMA | Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has called for stronger enforcement of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system and renewed collective efforts to protect the indigenous identity of the Naga people, stressing the importance of constitutional safeguards and community participation.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Kohima Village Multipurpose Building on Friday, Rio said the preservation of Naga customs, traditions and governance structures remains a priority for the state. He noted that constitutional protections under Article 371A and the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873, have played a crucial role in safeguarding the unique identity and cultural heritage of Nagaland.

The chief minister emphasized that these special provisions must continue to be upheld to ensure the protection of Naga customary laws and traditional institutions.

Highlighting the role of village councils, Rio said they remain the only competent authorities empowered to certify whether an individual is indigenous to a particular village. While acknowledging that non-locals are legally permitted to live and work in Nagaland, he asserted that such residents cannot be granted indigenous status.

To strengthen implementation of the ILP regime, Rio urged village councils, landlords, employers, educational institutions and community organisations to maintain proper records and documentation of non-local residents. He said greater vigilance was necessary to prevent misuse of indigenous certificates and to preserve the integrity of the state’s protective mechanisms.

The chief minister also appealed for public cooperation in the upcoming 2027 Census, describing accurate population data as essential for development planning and fair allocation of resources.

Referring to previous census exercises, Rio expressed concern over inflated population figures, stating that inaccurate data had adversely affected planning in key sectors, including education, welfare and infrastructure development. He urged churches, civil society groups, village councils and citizens to work together to ensure that census figures accurately reflect the state’s actual population.

Defending Nagaland’s traditional system of village governance, Rio said village councils should continue functioning through consensus and selection rather than electoral contests. According to him, the customary system has historically fostered unity and social harmony, while elections at the village level could create divisions within communities.

Speaking on the newly inaugurated Kohima Village Multipurpose Building, the chief minister described the facility as a symbol of unity, cooperation and brotherhood among the Naga people. He said the building would serve as a common venue for cultural, social and community activities, benefiting not only residents of Kohima Village but people from across the state.

Rio commended the Kohima Village Council for successfully executing the project with support from both the central and state governments. He also announced additional financial assistance to equip the facility with furniture, sound systems and other necessary infrastructure.

Encouraging youth participation in economic development, the chief minister urged young people to take advantage of government-backed skill development programmes, entrepreneurship initiatives and micro-financing schemes. He said financial support remains available for trained entrepreneurs seeking to establish businesses and generate employment opportunities.

Highlighting the achievements of the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS), Rio said more than 1.7 lakh beneficiaries have been enrolled under the programme. He noted that the state government has spent over Rs 228 crore on cashless medical treatment and encouraged eligible residents to avail themselves of the scheme’s benefits.

Earlier in his address, Rio described the inauguration of the multipurpose building as a historic milestone for Kohima Village, which he called a centre of Naga history and heritage. He praised the village’s leadership for demonstrating unity and foresight in creating infrastructure that would serve future generations and strengthen community bonds across Nagaland.