DIMAPUR, JUNE 28 (MExN): Reacting to the uproar arising out of the PIL in the Supreme Court against ILP in Dimapur purportedly by a BJP leader, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) on Friday put on record that the NDPP led PDA Government is sincere in its commitment to protect the rights of our people.
NDPP Media & Communication Committee in a press statement termed it unfortunate that at such a crucial stage in the ongoing talks between the Government of India and the NNPGs to resolve the Naga political issue, an individual who does not understand the issue at hand has come to jeopardise the hard-earned break through over the years by way of dialogue and discussions.
The NDPP pointed out that the PDA government decided to extend the ILP regime in Dimapur on the clarion call of the people of Nagaland.
Nagas by nature have always been accommodating and have welcomed people with open arms into our homes. However, over the years, the accommodative nature of the Nagas has been taken advantage of and also the unfortunate misuse of the ILP resulting in the huge influx of illegal immigrants from neighbouring States and Bangladesh thus threatening the future of the Nagas, it stated.
Keeping this in mind, the PDA Government decided to strengthen and streamline the existing ILP regime and the BEFR while also extending the same to Dimapur in order that the entire Nagaland is covered by this regulation which will help maintain checks and balances on those people coming and going from the state so as to protect the people and our land from being infiltrated.
It also sought to point out that there is no question of the State Government’s decision infringing upon the life, liberty, properties and fundamental rights of the non-Nagas living in Dimapur.
The NDPP clarified that the ILP regime will not debar any non-Naga from entering Nagaland now will it take away the rights of any Indian citizen or debar them from working within the state. The imposition of ILP also does not mean that the non-naga traders have to close down their businesses either, it added.
It also stated that Dimapur has always been an integral part of the Naga Hills and therefore the question of Dimapur being a part of Assam does not arise under any circumstances.
The NDPP also appealed the non-Naga permanent residents of not only Dimapur but all over Nagaland to come out in support of protecting the rights, privileges and identity of the Nagas as “we have been living as one family for the last so many decades in peaceful cohabitation and harmony.”
