Kohima:
The provisional census 2011 of Nagaland, which registers a negative decadal population growth, has revealed that two districts in the state recorded a negative growth at over 30 per cent while another two districts recorded a 20 per cent population increase over the last census.
The district wise break of population census and literacy status has shown the districts of Longleng and Kiphire recorded negative decadal population growth at minus (-) 58.39 per cent and minus (-) 30.54 per cent respectively followed by Mokokchung at minus (-) 16.77 per cent.
However, districts of Dimapur and Kohima registered decadal growth at 23.13 per cent and 22.80 per cent respectively against the national average of decadal population growth of 17.64 per cent.
The provisional population census 2011 of Nagaland was today formally released by state governor Nikhil Kumar here at a function which was attended by chief minister Neiphiu Rio, chief secretary Lalthara, senior government officials and
leaders of civil society groups.
Although Nagaland made a giant leap on literacy front recording the average at over 80 per cent, gross disparity exists among the districts on literacy rates.
The state had recorded literacy rate at 21.05 per cent with female rate of 14.02 per cent when Nagaland attained statehood.
The 2011 census registered the states literacy rate at 80.11 per cent with female rate 76.69 per cent. The state recorded the literacy rate at 67 per cent in 2001.
While Mokokchung recorded the literacy rate at 92.68 per cent, Mon registered the same only at 56.60 per cent, an increase of 14.77 per cent over the decade.
The Nagaland government rejected the 2001 census through a cabinet decision as it found the data were grossly exaggerated recording 64 per cent decadal population growth in the state.
Both the governor and the chief minister expressed happiness over the proper census exercise this time in the state and congratulated the officials of census directorate led by Hekhali Zhimomi and leaders of civil societies for the successful conduct of population enumeration.