Deputy Commissioner Kohima, B Henok Buchem, NCS, on Tuesday informed that extensive consultations had been held with various stakeholders, including the Angami Public Organisation, Angami Women Organisation, Angami Youth Organisation, Angami Students’ Union, councillors of Kohima Municipal Council, and chairpersons of colonies and wards.
He stated that all stakeholders had resolved to ensure that Census guidelines and directions are strictly implemented across the district.
Addressing a joint press conference along with President of the Angami Public Organisation (APO), Thejao Vihienuo, and Chairperson of the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC), Neibodzelie Solo, addressed a joint press conference on the forthcoming Census operations at the DPDB Hall, DC Office Complex, he described Census as one of the country’s most important administrative exercises.
The Deputy Commissioner highlighted that the upcoming Census would be India’s first fully digital and paperless Census. He informed that the operation would be conducted in two phases: the House Listing Operation (HLO) commencing on June 16, 2026, and the Population Enumeration scheduled for next year.
Citizens opting for self-enumeration may do so through the designated portal from June 16 to June 30. Field enumeration will be carried out from July 1 to July 31, during which enumerators will visit households to verify information submitted through self-enumeration. Those who do not self-enumerate will be covered during the field enumeration process.
The Deputy Commissioner further informed that Kohima district has been divided into eight charge areas for smooth conduct of the Census. Emphasising the importance of accurate data collection, he stated that only persons ordinarily residing in Kohima district should be enumerated. Referring to the 2011 Census, he noted that numerous households were recorded as vacant and expressed confidence that such discrepancies would be minimized through enhanced coordination and public cooperation.
He urged citizens to cooperate with enumerators, provide accurate information, ensure proper house numbering, verify the identity of Census officials, and avoid double enumeration. He also cautioned against providing false information, obstructing officials, or harassing field workers.
Addressing common misconceptions, the Deputy Commissioner clarified that the Census is purely a demographic exercise and is not connected to land laws, municipal taxation, political boundaries, or indigenous rights. He assured that all personal information collected would remain confidential and would only be published in aggregated statistical form.
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He also explained that individuals staying outside their place of residence for more than six months would be counted at their current place of stay. Tenants must furnish their own details during enumeration, and any deliberate submission of false information would constitute an offence under the Census Act, 1948.
Appealing for public support, he called upon all residents to participate responsibly and help ensure a clean and accurate Census, enabling the district and the state to receive their rightful share of government resources, welfare schemes, and development programmes.
KMC Chairperson, Neibodzelie Solo appealed to all ward leaders, colony authorities, and citizens to extend full cooperation to Census enumerators and officials. He urged all ordinary residents of Kohima to ensure that they are properly enumerated during the Census exercise.
APO President, Thejao Vihienuo expressed appreciation to the district administration for its meticulous preparations and described the Census as a significant milestone for the state’s development. Noting that the Census could not be conducted in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he emphasized the importance of the exercise in generating demographic data that forms the basis for development planning and allocation of government funds.
He urged citizens to provide accurate information and avoid double enumeration by registering only at their place of ordinary residence. Stressing that duplicate entries would distort demographic data, he called upon all residents to cooperate fully with Census officials and enumerators and not argue with them.
Vihienuo further reassured citizens that all information collected during the Census would remain confidential and encouraged everyone to support the exercise so that Nagaland can furnish reliable Census data for informed planning and development.
