Members of the Nagaland GB Federation and civil societies during the public rally in Kohima against CAB on February 8. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 8
A public rally demanding the scrapping of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) 2016 and also demanding solution of protracted Indo-Naga political problem before the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, took place today in the state capital Kohima.
The rally was held under the aegis of Nagaland GB Federation (NGBF) wherein tribal bodies, students and mothers associations converged at Old MLA junction and marched till Raj Bhavan Kohima through the main town and submitted two separate memorandums addressed to President of India Ram Nath Kovind on CAB and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Naga political issue through Nagaland’s governor P. B. Acharya.
In the absence of the Governor, the memorandums were handed over to the Joint Secretary to Governor by the leaders of NGBF and various tribal bodies.
The rallyist carried banners and placards and shouted slogans demanding “Scrap CAB 2016 – Save Indigenous Citizens” and “We demand solution to Indo-Naga Political issue before Parliamentary Election”.
In the memorandum to President, the Naga civil societies expressed, “the CAB 2016 is posing the greatest threat to us, the minorities, for the first time in the history of India in its 72 years of existence as a sovereign nation”.
The Naga bodies therefore termed it is unfortunate that the Union Government is so determined to bring this amendment on the basis of religion which is anti-thesis to secular spirit.
They said “the CAB 2016 is subjectively aimed at giving rights and protection to foreigners in India at the cost of its indigenous citizens who are now exposed to threats to their very existence”.
In this, the Naga civil bodies questioned “Is India under BJP for Indians or for foreigners?”
Expressing that the Nagas in general do not appreciate the attitude of the Union Government when its loyalty and accountability to its indigenous citizens are shifted to those non-Indians, they said such attitude tantamount to undermining the bona fide Indian citizens as though they have become obsolete in the consideration of the Union Government and for which they should be replaced by those foreigners.
The Naga civil societies therefore urged upon the President of India not to give his assent to the controversial Bill even when it is passed by both Houses of Parliament or not to give assent when the Union Government resorts to make it a law through an ordinance.
‘No justifiable reason for GoI to delay solution to Indo-Naga political issue’
In another memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister, the Naga civil bodies reminded him of the impasse created by the entire Naga society to defer the 2018 State Assembly election with the slogan `Solution before Election' which indeed has been the ardent desire of our people.
In the midst of tension and confusion, they said the national leadership of BJP came forward and convinced the Nagas with the assurance of ‘Election for Solution’ that made the Nagas pave the way for Assembly election on time for the sake of solution and BJP now is a coalition partner in Nagaland Government.
They lamented that uncertainties are looming larger in view of the last session of Parliament which is to be concluded by the second week of this month, and the Parliamentary election to be announced in a couple of weeks thereafter.
“All the hopes of the Nagas fade into another spell of darkness with the apprehension that all these years of negotiation exercises may once again become the damp squib,” they said.
Expressing hope that the promise of BJP leadership on 'Election for Solution' would not be used as a tool to dupe the Naga public, they said “having negotiated for years and months, there is obviously no justifiable reason for GoI to delay or fail to bring it to its logical end”.
They hoped that “the Prime Minister will never fail the Nagas but will rather fulfill all what was promised so that the Nagas will not be forced to feel betrayed”.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference after the rally, it informed that in support of the demands submitted today, the Naga civil societies would be imposing 12-hour statewide total bandh on February 11.
