CM appeals all stakeholders to help prevent 'illegal immigration'

Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio speaking to village/ward Chairmen and GBs of Dimapur Sardar and other neighbouring villages  on September 4. (DIPR Photo)
 

DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 4 (MExN): Nagaland State Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio along with Deputy CM, Y Patton, Chief Secretary, Temjen Toy and other senior government officers held a meeting with the Chairmen and GBs of the wards/ villages of Dimapur Sardar and other neighbouring villages in Dimapur today. 

The meeting discussed issues relating to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP), informed a report from the DIPR.

Addressing the meeting, Rio said that Dimapur being the commercial hub of Nagaland has the presence of both genuine as well as people of doubtful origin. 

"To make Dimapur a better place, government alone cannot help and therefore it has to be a peoples' movement," he maintained. He observed that RIIN might take some more time as there are still many exercises to be looked into. He however felt that in Dimapur, the ILP must be accorded on priority to avoid complications. 

Pointing out that Dimapur has become a “city of criminals,” he observed that many people with doubtful origin are eyeing to settle down in the city. Considering this, the CM asked grassroots leaders to extend their continued cooperation. Rio reminded that GBs are representatives of the government and appealed to them to work efficiently and sincerely for a better future of Nagaland. 

ILP  implementation will depend on the grassroots leaders, Rio said, and advised them to conduct proper identification of illegal immigrants in their respective wards. The CM further requested the district administration and police machinery to remain vigilant for ensuring strict ILP checking, in order to prevent possible influx of illegal immigrants.

On the Citizen Amendment Bill, Rio reiterated that the bill would not affect Naga society “as Nagas are protected under Article 371(A) which came through the 16th Point Agreement.” 

Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton, in his address felt that issues relating to RIIN, ILP and NRC needs to be taken up on priority.

Pointing to the 19 lakh being excluded from the NRC in Assam, Patton observed that a delicate situation has been created for the neighbouring states. He noted that states like Mizoram and Meghalaya have started sealing their borders. Observing that Dimapur Sardar and neighbouring areas share a porous border with Assam,  Patton appealed to the Dimapur district administration and Police to put more effort in order to check and stop people of doubtful origin from entering Nagaland state. 

For ensuring strict ILP checking and preventing possible influx of of 'illegal immigrants,' Patton felt imperative that the public at large particularly leaders at the grassroots remain vigilant. "We all have to play our part to ensure that there is no influx of illegal immigrants to our State," he added. He also felt that Chairmen of all wards and village council as well as the GBs need to be more vigilant as they know the genuine residents under their jurisdiction. In case any abnormal increase of outsiders is noticed, the same should be immediately brought to the concerned officials, Patton added.

Minister PHED, Jacob Zhimomi in his brief address, advised the village GBs and Chairmen to stay united and to work collectively in resolving the issue of illegal immigrants.