Continued Assam eviction drive fuels sustained concern in Nagaland

NPF, student bodies call for vigilance and comprehensive ILP implementation

Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 30 

Amid the ongoing eviction drive in the border state of Assam, several Naga organisations today joined others in raised strong concern over the steady influx of undocumented individuals into Nagaland’s border areas, with apprehension of serious demographic and socio-economic consequences.

They also called for strong proactive measures and vigilance, particularly at vulnerable border regions as well as comprehensive implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP). 

Among others, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) called for “strict and comprehensive implementation” of ILP system, especially in Dimapur and other vulnerable border regions.

Border control mechanisms must be fortified, and police outposts strengthened with adequate personnel and modern resources, suggested the NPF in statement issued by its Press Bureau.

It further reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguard the ‘rights and future’ of the Naga people and called upon civil society, political leadership, and the public to act urgently and unitedly against what it termed as the “growing menace of illegal immigration.”

This is occurring unchecked and the party is compelled to raise a serious alarm as it is a threat “more insidious than any external aggression,” stated the NPF. 

The entire Nagaland especially districts like Peren, Dimapur, Niuland, Wokha, Mokokchung, Longleng and Mon, which share boundary with Assam have been facing such problem, which has reached an “alarming scale,” it claimed. 

It further alleged that many of those undocumented individuals are entrenching themselves deeply in the economy, markets, trade unions, land ownership, and even in electoral rolls, altering the demography, deserving it as a ‘lived reality,’ not a hypothetical threat.

At the same time, the NPF stressed its stance on the issue must not be taken on communal or religious lines but seen as a “rightful protection of indigenous rights, land, and identity.”

ASU issues advisory
Drawing attention of the growing concern, the Angami Students’ Union (ASU) as issued a public advisory to the Government of Nagaland as well as various stakeholders.

While such drives may be administrative measures across the boundary, it is imperative that all stakeholders, particularly within the Angami jurisdiction, remain alert and responsible to ensure that no undesirable or undocumented movement takes place, it stated. 

Accordingly, the ASU urged to the State Government to be more proactive and responsible by strengthening its vigilance at all entry points. 

It also called upon the concerned departments to deploy adequate police forces and enforcement personnel to monitor and regulate cross-border movement effectively.

The union also appealed all village authorities, students’ bodies, and youth organisations under Angami jurisdiction to heighten vigilance at the grassroots level and ensure that there is no “infiltration of undocumented persons within their respective localities.”

The public advisory issued by ASU President Diezevisie Nakhro and General Secretary Rajuselie Chücha urged taxi operators and transport services to keep documents and passenger details in order and avoid ferrying individuals without valid ID or travel documents.

The ASU also urged all property owners must verify and confirm the legal status of their tenants and their surety process, and cautioned that “renting or sheltering of undocumented individuals will not be condoned.”

The union appeals to every citizen to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or movement that may indicate the presence of undocumented individuals, maintaining that the protection of the land and its identity must be a shared responsibility.

The ASU also ‘firmly’ stated that any individual or entity found to be aiding, sheltering, or facilitating the movement of “illegal immigrants” within our jurisdiction will be dealt with sternly and without leniency. 

“Such actions will be viewed as direct violations of public interest and community’s integrity,” it added. 

Meanwhile, in a separate letter, the ASU requested the president of  the All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) to take the issue of immigration seriously and extend cooperation by ensuring that taxis under the association are not misused as a “means of transportation or facilitating the entry of any undocumented immigrants to any part of Nagaland.

LMRSU
On the same issue, the Lotha Middle Range Students' Union (LMRSU) also expressed concern and urged the relevant authorities to coordinate closely with village councils, local bodies, and NGOs to conduct thorough inspections and enforce ILP system strictly within its jurisdiction.

As per the union, the Lotha community, in particular, has been affected, with reports of immigrants settling near borders and taking refuge in certain hill areas.

“As guardians of our cultural heritage, we are committed to preserving and safeguarding our traditions and identity,” stated a press release from LMRSU President Rhonbemo Murry and General Secretary Lichon Kithan.

A collective effort is needed for cultural identity and community interests, safeguarding ancestral lands and natural resources, and preserve demographic integrity, it contended. 

The LMRSU thus called upon all stakeholders support the initiative and work together to address this pressing issue.