DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 9 (MExN): The Nagaland Government on Saturday appealed the Nagaland GBs’ Federation (NGBF), civil society organizations and NGOs to reconsider the February 11 bandh call in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016.
A press statement issued by Nagaland Chief Secretary, Temjen Toy said the concern and apprehension of the Naga civil organizations over the Bill is shared by the government and that it stands with the people on this issue.
Reiterating the resolution adopted in the consultative meeting held on January 31, the Chief Secretary reminded that in response to the will and desire of the people, the House unanimously resolved to oppose the Bill and out rightly rejected its implementation in Nagaland.
The House had expressed its solidarity with the rest of the North-Eastern States, all of whom have expressed serious concerns on the CAB in order to safeguard the rights of the indigenous people of the region.
That no non-indigenous person can claim rights and privileges in Nagaland as the state stand protected under the provisions of Article 371 (A) of the Constitution of India and the Inner Line Permit (ILP) mechanism as per the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873 which has been reaffirmed as Clause 16 of the 16 Point Agreement.
It also claimed that Article 371 (A) ensures that citizens of India, or any non Nagas who are not indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland, cannot acquire property or settle down in Nagaland. Thus, any person who acquires Indian citizenship through the amended Bill will be as ineligible for acquiring property or settling down in Nagaland as any other non-Nagas including Indian citizens are presently.
The House had also resolved that the Nagaland Assembly should discuss and to enforce ILP regulations all over the State including Dimapur district.
The Chief Secretary meanwhile informed that the budget session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) has been convened on February 21 and the issue of CAB will be deliberated by the Assembly and the government will propose adoption of a resolution as decided in the Consultative Meeting held on January 31, 2019.
The Chief Secretary also urged all concerned to bear in mind that it is also the time for examinations for students who may need to travel for classes, examinations, etc. It therefore asserted that a bandh at this time will adversely impact them.
In view of this, and “especially when all are united and very clear in the resolve to protect the interests of the State,” the Nagaland Government has appealed the NGBF and NGOs to reconsider the bandh call and instead voice opposition to the Bill unitedly in a democratic manner.
