File photo of Neiphiu Rio | PTI
Kohima, February 23 (PTI) Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio
Saturday tabled a government resolution in the state Assembly
which outrightly rejected Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB),
2016.
Moving the resolution in the ongoing assembly session, Rio
said that the bill is being pursued by the Central government
for enactment, despite opposition and rejection by the
governments, political parties, tribal organizations, civil
societies and others in the North East including Nagaland.
The protestors are deeply concerned with the protection
and preservation of indigenous tribes from being
demographically overwhelmed by conferment of citizenship on
illegal immigrants as envisaged by the CAB.
The resolution proposes to sternly oppose and outrightly
reject the CAB which should not be implemented in Nagaland as
it will impact the unique history and status of the Nagas
under the Constitution of India.
The citizenship bill that provides for according Indian
citizenship to Hindus,Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and
Parsis from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after seven
years of residence in India instead of 12 years, which is the
norm currently,even if they do not possess any document,could
not be tabled in Rajya Sabha in the recently concluded budget
session and is set to lapse.
Some BJP leaders have said the bill was still on their
agenda.
The resolution also expresses solidarity with the states
and communities of the northeast in their struggle against
the implementation of the CAB since it has the potential of
changing the demographic profile which will be against the
interest of indigenous tribes in the region and can divest
them of their constitutionally guaranteed political, cultural
and economic rights.
Rio said that assembly through the resolution would
re-affirm the constitutional guarantee given by Article 371(A)
of the Constitution, which is the part and parcel of the
historic 16 Point Agreement that led to formation of Nagaland
state and protects, defends and safeguards the customary way
of life of Nagas, our right to land and its resources etc.
The resolution also reiterates the constitutional position
as aforesaid that, except the indigenous population in
Nagaland, nobody is entitled to own land and resources in our
State, that has been guaranteed not only by Article 371 A
(1)(a) of the constitution but also by the Inner Line Permit
Notification issued under the Bengal and Eastern Frontier
Regulations, 1873, which was included and reiterated as Point
No.16 of the 16 point agreement.
Once adopted, the government would authorize the Speaker
to communicate the content of the resolution to Parliament.
During discussions on the resolution, Opposition NPF
MLAs-- Imkong L Imchen, Dr Imtiwapang, Yitachu, B S Nganglang,
Dr Chumben Murry and Moatoshi-- maintained that the opposition
bench also fully supports the resolution.
They, however, said it should be passed as the resolution
of the assembly and not as a government resolution.
They were of the view that Article 371(A) of the
constitution does not have the protective effect against CAB
2016.
However, the treasury bench members including
Ministers--Tongpang Ozukum, Neiba Kronu, Temjen Imna Along, G
Kaito Aye, Toshiwungtung and Imnatiba-- supported the five
point resolution while asserting that the government is
determined to protect the rights of Nagas as enshrined under
Article 371(A).
They also called upon the opposition to join hands in
unitedly taking up the issue concerning the Nagas.
Amidst deliberations, the assembly deputy speaker Zhaleo
Rio adjourned the house for the day while announcing that
further discussions on the resolution before passing it would
continue on February 25.