• In an intermingling society, the issue needs to be projected in the right perspective
• In an intermingling society, the issue needs to be projected in the right perspective
• Calls for close coordination among various agencies and stakeholders, including the government and civil society
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 8
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dimapur, Kesonyu Yhome has called for close coordination among various agencies and stakeholders including the government and civil society while tackling the issue of ‘illegal immigrants.’
Stating that in the context of the 21st century, where people no longer live in isolation but are getting more intermingled, the DC said that there is a need to project the issue of ‘illegal migrants’ in the right perspective - not as a fight against a particular community or people but a fight for a right and just cause.
Yhome said very often government and civil society keep on working in different directions and stressed on the need to sensitize the general public on criticalities and distinction between issues of illegal, or undocumented, migrants and issues of law and order. He also commented on the general tendency to link any issue or incident to illegal migrants.
Speaking at the first state level consultative meeting of ‘Survival Nagaland’ (SN) held on the theme “Our Land Our Future” at Lotha Hoho Ki on Wednesday, Yhome said the concept of ‘Survival Nagaland’ is a “very serious business” and those involved should also be serious and tread cautiously.
He said the concept is huge with wider ramifications that one can either use it positively or misuse it at the risk of inviting repercussions.
Citing the case of Mizoram where there is mass sensitization of the issue, the DC said that the society at large has been able to tackle the issue in a positive manner.
“In such society if they bring in two people to work, they are supposed to send back these two people after the work is done,” he noted contrasting it with Nagaland where “the society is least bothered to send these people back once the work is done.”
The DC also reminded that the so called ‘illegal immigrants’ in Nagaland do not exist in vacuum as they are given security and protection by local people. He further informed that the state level committee on inner line permit (ILP) set up by the government had also recommended bringing of Dimapur district under the Bengal Frontier Regulation Act 1873.
Sharing his view on the issue, the President of Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) Imkongwati said that the ‘Survival Mokokchung’ movement started in 2007 due to three main reasons: Economic factor such as cash drain, dominance and dictates of businesses by outsiders, and compromise of quality of goods; increase in anti-social activities; and threat to Naga identity due to huge influx of outsiders.
Legal advisor, SN, Leonard Aier, said Nagaland is a ‘failed state’ on many fronts including the ‘illegal immigrant’ problem as the government of the day has become arrogant and failed to heed to the voices of civil society.
Aier also highlighted the legal aspects where the rights of indigenous citizens are protected by the Constitution.
Representatives from the Dimapur District GB Association and Dimapur Urban Colony Chairmen Forum also gave their views and suggestions. Earlier, Secretary SN, Vikali Shikhu, presented highlights of SN activities since its formation in 2014.
