North East Forum writes to PM Modi to uphold aspirations of indigenous people

DIMAPUR, AUGUST 9 (MExN): The Coordination Committee of the North East Forum for Indigenous People (NEFIP) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi objecting to the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 and upholding the aspirations of the indigenous people inhabiting the 7 states of North East India. 

In a representation addressed to the PM, a copy of which was submitted to Nagaland Governor by the Joint Committee on Prevention of Illegal Emigration (JCPI), the Forum said the Bill if enacted will create demographic imbalance to the already fragile indigenous population and pose grave danger to the very existence of the indigenous people of NE as a whole irrespective of size of the population of the communities. 

While pointing out that the Bill violates Article 14 of the Constitution and also the Preamble of the Constitution of India, the Forum apprehended that such a Bill will have severe impact on the ongoing process of the NRC monitored by the Supreme Court as the crucial dates of reference to recognize an immigrant for naturalization are different. 

It negates the section 6A in the Citizenship Act, 1955 introduced in pursuance to the Assam Accord of 1985 and shall jeopardize the whole exercise already carried out.

Despite the assurances given by the BJP leaders that the Bill will not harm the indigenous people’s economic, traditional and cultural interest, the Forum however said the fact remains that even now almost 80 percent of the economy is controlled by non- Indigenous inhabitants of the region. So to further add non-indigenous population will not only aggravate the already marginalized indigenous population but supplant the local population to the point of extinction, it added.

The Forum said at the moment there are an estimated 4 million illegal immigrants in Assam who cannot be granted citizenship under NRC. Whereas, when CAB is enacted these foreigners will be easily accommodated as legal citizens under one pretext or other, this shall further worsen the present demographic crisis. 

The Forum also expressed concern with the two notifications of 7th September, 2015 vide No.GSR685(E) by which the Passport (Entry into India) Rules of 1950 was amended whereby those foreigners from the said three countries who had entered into India by 31st December, 2014 are legalized. 

The second Notification vide No.GSR686(E) amended the Foreigners Orders of 1948 by which the restrictive rules are relaxed for these illegal immigrants are nothing but the forerunner of the CAB. These relaxations of the laws are found detrimental to the interests of the indigenous people of the NE India. 

It therefore questioned the wisdom of the Union Government as to why it prefers foreigners to its indigenous citizens in the NE India as all these initiatives aimed at protecting the foreigners at the expense of the indigenous citizens who have live in their ancestral lands since time immemorial. 

Considering the above stated points, the Forum has expressed hope for a positive initiative and prompt action in the interest of the indigenous populace of the Northeast region.