CAA: PDA reiterates Nagaland is exempt, as NPF calls for assembly resolution against Act

Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 8 

The Citizenship Amendment Act took centre stage at the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) proceedings today with the ruling PDA once again reassuring that the Act would not be applicable in the State. 

This came amidst demands by the opposition NPF MLAs for the Assembly to pass a resolution against the Act.

Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton stressed on the special status of Nagaland among the states of the country and expressed appreciation that the Government of India left “no doubt or apprehension in the mind of anyone by exempting our state altogether from the purview and applicability of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 by providing a specific provision to this effect in the Act.” Patton also expressed happiness on the recognition accorded to the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) 1873 by the Centre. 

“The BEFR provision bars anyone, which also includes the citizens of the country, if he or she is not an indigenous person, from coming to our state without a permit, which the Nagaland government may regulate, or acquire any land here,” the Deputy CM stated. 

Patton continued that ILP regime alongwith Article 371 A ensures that citizens of India, who are not indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland cannot acquire property or settle down in Nagaland.

“We meticulously looked into the proposed amendment provisions,  its adverse fallout, if any, on the state in several cabinet meetings, and after looking into the entire ecosystem of protection provided by Article 371 A and the ILP Regime of BEFR 1873, we were clear that the provisions of the proposed Bill, would not be applicable in the state,” he said. 

School Education Advisor, K Tokugha Sukhalu expressed similar sentiments and urged the House not to create any fear or panic through the implementation of CAA as Naga interests are well protected.

Higher & Technical Education Minister, Temjen Imna meanwhile said that the CAA has been politicized “in a negative way creating fear psychosis among the people.”

Along, who is also the president of Nagaland State BJP, assured that the Act will not harm the Naga people’s political rights, culture and land rights “as we are excluded from the purview of CAA and special status for our state has been incorporated in the central list.”

Earlier, NPF MLA, Dr Chotisuh Sazo said that the “danger with the CAA in our state is that with the granting of Indian Citizenship to the illegal and legal migrants, more flow of these people will come into our state burdening the resources and threatening our unique language, culture, tradition and our identity.”

He further spoke about the effect it would have on the economy, claiming that more than 60% of the business establishments in Dimapur and Kohima today are controlled by non-locals. Sazo requested the House to pass a resolution rejecting the Act. 

Leader of the Opposition, TR Zeliang meanwhile pointed out that Nagaland is most vulnerable to the threat of migrants and illegal immigrants taking over the state’s economy as the indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland have been dependent on them for decades now.

Zeliang said that the Government should study the effects of settlement of people from other states and its impact so that the future is secure. He also emphasised on the need for strict implementation on the provision of ILP Regulation Act in Nagaland.

Another NPF MLA, Dr. Chumben Murry said that CAA is fundamentally a “discriminatory Act,” adding “It is discriminatory on ground of religion and also to other ethnic and minority groups. Such an Act can come only if there is vested interest and hidden agenda.”

“We all need to be gravely concerned and those who are of the impression that we are protected by Article 371 (A) and BEFR 1873, please, please wake up we must unanimously oppose CAA lest posterity blame this August House,” he said.