Kohima, June 27 (MExN): Naga People’s Front (NPF) today reiterated demand for the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to personally issue a “specific and precise reply at the earliest” regarding his statement on Naga integration and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and not through his “mouth piece” NDPP Press and Media Committee “which tends to give statement without knowing the head or tail of the matter.”
A press statement from NPF Information & Publicity Wing asserted it is an “undying wish and a long cherished dream and legitimate right” of the Nagas to live as one. The Naga movement envisioned the integration of Nagas across boundaries and borders and this legitimate right existed much before the formation of the Naga Club in 1929, it maintained.
Hence, NPF said, Rio has “no right to decide on the paramount matter that involved the future of the entire Nagas living across interstate as well as international borders.”
Stating that the integration or greater autonomy will depend on the final outcome of the ongoing negotiations by different political groups with the government of India, it said till such time, “nobody has the authority to denounce integration unless one is mad because it would tantamount to betrayal of our Naga nation.”
The NPF further maintained that the proposed amendment of the Citizenship Bill is a major concern for all the states in the North East. “For Nagaland, it will directly challenge Article 371A and the indigenous rights of the people because it will make indigenous certificate and the ILP regulation not tenable due to the fact that government of India proposes to give citizenship by cutting residential proof from 11 years to 6 years, allowing recognition of citizenship to even those illegal immigrants,” it said.
“The questionable statement that Nagaland will not oppose the Bill because we have special provision under Article 371 A to protect us is a serious breach of trust because the citizenship Amendment itself challenges the rights of the indigenous people and undermines Article 371 A,” NPF added.
The party further appealed to all right thinking citizens of the State to rise up to the occasion and condemn such “acts of deceit and betrayal that seek to compromise our unique history and destroying the future of our upcoming generations.”
It also urged them to remain alert and not shy away from core issues, but oppose tooth and nail such “precarious issues”, especially the integration issue and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
Questioning the “dead silence” of the Naga NGOs, civil societies, the apex tribal hohos and the student organisations, the NPF asked “if their silence can be construed as acceptance of the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016.”
