• Serves 14-day deadline to implement ILP in Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland
• Urges NPGs not to interfere with the efforts of federating units
KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 5 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has expressed alarm over the escalating crisis in Bangladesh; a situation which it said has sparked unrest in the region and poses a direct existential threat to the Naga homeland.
In a communiqué, the NSF reported that illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have already begun entering the state, highlighting the frightening prospect of a mass exodus from Bangladesh flooding into Nagaland. It warned that if this threat is not addressed, it could erode the very fabric of Naga identity, culture, and future.
Describing the current situation as nothing short of a “demographic onslaught,” the NSF underscored the historical consequences of unchecked immigration from Bangladesh. The partition of 1947 and the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 led to significant influxes into the North-East, resulting in profound changes to the demographic landscape. Now, Nagaland faces a similar threat, with the potential for illegal immigration to permanently alter its cultural identity and sovereignty, it stated.
The NSF asserted that this issue transcends being a mere statistic—it is an existential threat. The demographic shift currently unfolding is not just a number on a chart but represents a potential dilution of Naga culture, way of life, and future as an indigenous people. The Federation said it will not remain passive while the homeland is turned into a refuge for illegal immigrants.
Highlighting this, the NSF has called for immediate action in response to the reports of these immigrants entering the state. It urged its federating units and subordinate bodies to rigorously monitor and curb any such inflow. Stressing that “vigilance is no longer optional but a matter of survival,” the NSF appealed to every Naga to stay alert, report suspicious activities, and offer their full cooperation in halting this demographic invasion.
Additionally, the NSF has issued a clear and unequivocal message to all Naga Political Groups, urging them not to interfere with the legitimate efforts of the federating units and subordinate bodies of the Federation as they work to protect the future of their people.
Any group or entity providing patronage or safe haven to non-locals is expected to cease these actions immediately. It emphasized that this is not a time for political maneuvering but a time to unite in the face of a common threat. The Federation warned it will not tolerate any interference that compromises its efforts to defend the Naga homeland from this growing menace.
The NSF has also expressed deep frustration over the lack of decisive action from the Government of Nagaland. Despite several representations, including a communiqué sent on February 28, 2024, the government has yet to take significant action.
Consequently, the NSF demanded that the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime be implemented across the districts of Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland within 14 days. The Federation has warned that any delay in enforcing these measures will be viewed as a failure to protect the Naga people and an abdication of the government’s responsibilities.
Reiterating its commitment to safeguarding the Naga homeland from illegal immigration at all costs, the Federation said it will monitor the situation closely and is prepared to take necessary actions if the government fails to implement the ILP regime across the specified districts.
The NSF also called upon every individual, organization, and government entity to recognize the gravity of this threat and to act swiftly. “This is a fight for our very existence, and we must rise as one to defend our homeland,” it asserted.
