Dimapur: The Western Sümi Students’ Union (WSSU) has reaffirmed its strong opposition to the alleged issuance of Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Indigenous Inhabitant Certificates (IICs) to individuals whom it claims do not meet the customary and constitutional criteria for recognition as members of the Naga tribes, particularly the Sümi Naga community.
In a statement, the WSSU expressed deep concern over what it described as a growing number of questionable cases, despite a prior clarification released on 14 April 2025. The Union warned that it would not remain passive and would work in coordination with the District Administration to scrutinize all cases it considers suspicious.
Of particular concern to the WSSU are instances involving adoption, mixed parentage, and cases where children of Sümi Naga women married to non-Sümi individuals attempt to claim ST status through the maternal line.
“All suspicious cases will be thoroughly reviewed-including those in-volving adoption, mixed parentage, and particularly where Sümi Naga women married to non-Sümi individuals have children adopting the maternal surname or attempting to claim ST status through the mother’s lineage,”
The Union stressed that such claims are not valid under traditional Sümi and Naga customary law, which follows the paternal line for identity and status.
“The WSSU strongly directs all such individuals to rectify their official documents in alignment with their paternal lineage, in accordance with Naga customary law. Failure to comply will result in appropriate action as deemed fit by the Union in consultation with the relevant authorities,” the statement read.
The WSSU also raised objections to the alleged issuance of IICs to individuals based solely on inclusion of their ancestors’ names in old electoral rolls from 1963, 1973, and 1979. The student body argued that such records alone are not adequate proof of genuine indigenous status in Nagaland, especially in cases where applicants were born and brought up outside the state but later returned to claim benefits.
According to the Union, indiscriminate issuance of IICs without thorough background verification “constitutes a grave misuse of the system” and “to systematic exploitation”.
It urged the authorities to exercise due diligence in thoroughly investigating each applicant’s background, lineage, and current domicile status; refrain from issuing certificates purely based on the e-roll lists without substantial supporting documentation; verify whether individuals are enjoying dual identity-one in Nagaland and another in their respective home states.
The WSSU further pointed to alleged cases involving individuals from the Naga community in Manipur, who it claims are receiving dual Indigenous benefits by securing citizenship in both Manipur and Nagaland. The Union called on the government to initiate a comprehensive review of all Indigenous Certificates issued so far and to “Deny issuance to individuals whose Naga origin or permanent residency in Nagaland is doubtful or unproven”.
The WSSU stated that it remains fully committed to safeguarding the identity, rights, and legitimacy of the Sümi Naga community, and broadly, the sanctity of the Naga identity.
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