Kohima, February 2 (MExN): The NDPP and PDA while acknowledging and supporting the resolution passed on January 31 during the consultative meeting on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 (CAB) convened by the state government at Chümoukedima, has clarified on various issues against the statements made by the Naga People’s Front (NPF).
The NDPP in a press statement issued by NDPP Media & Communication Committee clarified that “the NDPP as a political party and the PDA have never supported the CAB at any given point of time but stand firm to protect the rights and privileges of the Naga people and Nagaland.”
It reiterated the party’s “belief in the protection of our people and our land through the provisions of Article 371A of the constitution and will continue to ensure and safeguard these provisions at all cost.”
It mentioned that the PDA, from the beginning has maintained that the Nagas are protected by the provisions of Article 371A and have asked the union government to review the bill.
The opposition NPF however, has been publicly stating that the provisions of Article 371A do not protect the Nagas from the CAB which, the NDPP stated “is an extremely dangerous statement, detrimental to the future of the Nagas.”
While the NPF were voicing out against the CAB today, the NDPP questioned the opposition “as to what were they doing when the draft of the bill was prepared in 2016 when the NPF were heading the Government led by the present Leader of Opposition TR Zeliang as Chief Minister.”
Their silence in 2016 itself held them “guilty for placing the Naga people to face this issue today,” it said.
On the NPF accusing that the MP (Lok Sabha) Tokheho Yepthomi voted for the bill on January 8 and that he should withdraw his vote, the ruling government demanded that the NPF “produce hard evidence and prove that the MP had voted on that day in Parliament, if not this can invite legal action for defamation and the party should tender a public apology for defaming the name of our lone representative to the Lower House of Parliament.”
It reiterated on Article 371A, that “as bonafide Nagas, each one of us have to play our part in protecting its provisions as this was the only protection we have to ensure that our customs, traditions, practices, our lands and our resources are protected till a final solution to our Naga Political issue is arrived at between the negotiating parties.”
Further expressing disappointment over the statement of the lone surviving signatory to the 16 point agreement and former Chief Minister and Governor Dr SC Jamir, the NDPP stated that it came as a surprise from “a person of his calibre, an octogenarian politician, a person who has seen the state emerge under the union of India because of the 16 point agreement,” instead stated that “it is wrong to say Article 371A and ILP protects us from CAB.”
Also slamming the NPCC, it reminded them that when the party could not get one elected representative into the NLA, “they have no right to be criticizing the elected government.”
The NDPP and PDA, meanwhile reaffirmed its “commitment to stand with the people of Nagaland and continue to strive towards safeguarding the rights and privileges of all Nagas by defending all provisions of Article 371A and work towards strengthening existing laws to further protect our future.”
