Kohima, May 9: In a significant decision affecting members of the Rongmei community residing in Nagaland, the state government has approved the issuance of Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates to 1,313 members of the Rongmei tribe who are permanently settled in the state, along with their direct descendants.
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| Members of the Rongmei Naga community perform a traditional cultural dance during a community event in Nagaland. (Image Credit: krctimes.com) |
The approval was conveyed through a notification issued by the Home Department, Government of Nagaland, on May 8 following the approval of the Governor of Nagaland. The decision applies to eligible members of the Rongmei tribe residing in Kohima, Peren, and the erstwhile Dimapur district, which now includes the districts of Chümoukedima and Niuland.
According to the notification, the beneficiaries will be issued ST certificates identifying them as “Scheduled Tribe members of Manipur permanently settled in Nagaland.” Officials stated that the move is intended to address the long-pending concerns of eligible Rongmei families who have been residing in the state for generations.
The notification further clarified that the beneficiaries were identified and enumerated by a committee constituted by the Nagaland government in 2007. Based on the findings and records of the committee, a total of 1,313 individuals and their direct descendants have been recognized as eligible for the issuance of the certificates.
Eligible applicants have been directed to submit their applications to the respective Deputy Commissioners of the districts where their names were originally enumerated. Applications must be accompanied by the necessary supporting documents and verification records as prescribed by the authorities.
However, the state government has clearly specified the scope and purpose of the certificates. According to the notification, the ST certificates are intended solely to enable eligible beneficiaries to avail reservation benefits in Central Government employment and Central educational institutions where Scheduled Tribe status is recognized.
The government emphasized that the certificates will not entitle beneficiaries to reservation benefits, concessions, quotas, or privileges that are specifically reserved for Scheduled Tribes indigenous to Nagaland under state policies and regulations.
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Officials said the decision seeks to provide legal recognition to eligible members of the Rongmei community while maintaining the existing safeguards and protections accorded to indigenous tribes of Nagaland. The government also directed that applications for the certificates must be submitted only in the districts where the beneficiaries were originally listed during the enumeration process.
The notification marks an important administrative development for the Rongmei community and is expected to benefit eligible families seeking access to opportunities available under Central Government Scheduled Tribe provisions.
