DIMAPUR, MARCH 16 (MExN): The Ex-Parliamentarian’s Association of Nagaland (Ex-PAN) has expressed concern over two recent disturbing developments, namely, the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024 and the abrogation of the Free Movement Regime, which it apprehended, would be detrimental to the future of the Nagas.
The Ex-PAN on Saturday said the recent enactment of the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024 by the Assam Legislative Assembly on February 26 targeted Christian activities in particular. It argued that if miracle healings are considered an “evil practice” because it does not conform to medical science, then even Ayurvedic and Yogic treatments must also fall in the same category as they too are not related to medical science.
“Therefore, if the Government of Assam headed by the BJP is determined to challenge and curb the activities of religious minorities, it must and should be done within the parameters of the Constitution of India, if any,” it stated. However, as long as the laws and Articles protecting the freedom of religion exists, the Government of Assam or any other Government do not have the authority or power to enact any law in contravention to the laid down provisions of the Constitution of India, it noted.
The Ex-PAN further questioned that when provisions of the Constitution protecting the freedom of religion have remained intact and alive, why is the Government of India, the upholders and protectors of the Constitution remaining silent and evasive at the violation of the constitutional provisions by the various State Governments. It, therefore, called upon the GoI to put an end to such legislations targeted towards religious discrimination.
On the abrogation of the Free Movement Regime and the decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border, the Ex-PAN termed it as “highly objectionable and questionable” and has opposed this decision of the Government of India.
It reminded that since time immemorial, the Naga people had never been divided by any borders or boundaries except the traditional boundaries between villages till the advent of the British who, for the convenience of administration, had demarcated the existing border between India and Myanmar, thus dividing villages, families and tribes.
“However, the founding fathers and leaders of India and Myanmar, having the foresight of the importance for the people living on both sides of the border to continue to have access to one another, decided to enact FMR, allowing people from both sides access upto 16 kilometers across the border without the need of any document,” it stated.
The Ex-PAN alleged that the Government of India today is trying to do to the Nagas what the Berlin Wall did to the people of Germany while taking the ongoing ethnic upheaval in Manipur and the vast smuggling of illegal drugs and weapons as reason to construct border fencing and put an end to FMR.
It stated that by fencing off the border with Myanmar and scrapping FMR, the GoI will only be further antagonizing a people who already feel betrayed and robbed of their birthrights.
