Archive · 30 Oct 2025
Nagaland Freezes Indigenous Status Process Amidst Tribal Objections
Imagine a special club in Nagaland that only lets people born there be members.
This club is called 'indigenous inhabitants'.
The government was trying to figure out exactly who gets to be a member.
But, some groups who are not considered the main tribes of Nagaland said, 'Hey, we should be members too!'
Because these groups disagreed, the government decided to stop trying to figure out the membership list for now.
They are waiting for a judge to make a decision.
The government says this is important to make sure only the right people get special rights related to land and living in Nagaland, like using a special permit called ILP.
They also want to fix past mistakes in how they counted people.
Nagaland government has frozen the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) process.
Non-Naga tribes will not be granted indigenous status under the current RIIN process.
The freeze is pending a court verdict on petitions filed by four non-Naga communities (Kachari, Garo, Mikir, Kuki).
The RIIN process aims to define indigenous inhabitants for Inner Line Permit (ILP) implementation.
The government stated indigenous status is an inborn inheritance and not conferred at will.
- Who
- The Nagaland government and four non-Naga tribes (Kachari, Garo, Mikir/Karbi, Kuki)
- What
- The Nagaland government has frozen the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) process, stating that non-Naga tribes will not be granted indigenous status. This freeze is in effect until a court delivers its judgment on petitions filed by four non-Naga communities opposing the verification process.
- When
- The State Cabinet decided to withhold actions on October 28, and the announcement was made on October 30.
- Where
- Nagaland
- Why
- To clearly define indigenous inhabitants for effective implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) regulations and to address objections from four non-Naga communities regarding their exclusion from indigenous classification.
Nagaland Government Stance
Objecting Non-Naga Tribes' Stance
Granting Indigenous Status
Nagaland Government Stance
Indigenous status is an inborn inheritance and cannot be created or conferred at will; it is for defining who qualifies as an indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland.
Objecting Non-Naga Tribes' Stance
Four sub-tribes (Kachari, Garo, Mikir/Karbi, Kuki) object to the RIIN exercise and exclusion from indigenous classification.
Purpose of RIIN
Nagaland Government Stance
To clearly define indigenous inhabitants for effective implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) regulations and to protect constitutional and customary safeguards, correcting past administrative lapses.
Objecting Non-Naga Tribes' Stance
The communities are opposing the verification process which potentially excludes them from indigenous classification.
Process Continuation
Nagaland Government Stance
All actions and benefits under the RIIN process are frozen for the four tribes until the court's verdict.
Objecting Non-Naga Tribes' Stance
The communities have filed petitions opposing the verification process.
- Decision Date
- October 28
- Announcement Date
- October 30
- Process Frozen For
- Kachari, Garo, Mikir (Karbi), and Kuki tribes
- Reason for Freeze
- Court case filed by four non-Naga communities
- Governing Regulation
- Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873