The Rising People’s Party (RPP) has questioned the Inner Line Regulation Commission (ILRC) of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) over its earlier remarks that “Nagas are the only indigenous people of Nagaland”, following the State Government’s clarification recognizing the Kachari, Kuki, Garo, and Mikir tribes as indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the RPP said the Government of Nagaland had officially justified its long-held stand that the four non-Naga tribes — Kachari, Kuki, Garo, and Mikir — are indigenous to the State and therefore eligible for Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates and Indigenous Inhabitant Certificates (IICs). The party further stated that the government has also confirmed that 24 posts of police constables are reserved for these non-Naga indigenous tribes.

“In the light of this clarification, the RPP would like to question the Inner Line Regulation Commission (ILRC) of the NSF to clarify its previous statement that ‘Nagas are the only indigenous people of Nagaland’,” the party stated.

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Alleging that the ILRC had displayed “sheer arrogance” by questioning the indigeneity of the four tribes and labeling them as “migrants,” the RPP said such remarks were irresponsible and disrespectful. “The RPP condemns the jingoistic stand of the ILRC and calls upon the NSF to nullify the statement created by the ILRC – which is but a mere committee formed by the NSF to check the implementation of the ILP in the state,” it added.

According to the RPP, the “utterly incoherent” stand of the ILRC has not only created confusion but has also “portrayed Nagas in a bad light,” for which it said the NSF must issue a clarification.

The party further described the ILRC’s public statements against the RPP as a “publicity-seeking exercise,” asserting that its attempt to “thrash the RPP on a non-issue” through the media was unwarranted.