NUTA urges govt for comprehensive discussion on how Nagaland is protected by Art 371 (A)
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 6 (MExN): The Nagaland University Teachers’ Association (NUTA) has apprised the Government of Nagaland its observation on the reason for the objection to the issue of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) 2016.
In a representation addressed to the Chief Secretary, Central Executive Council-NUTA president Prof Rosemary Dzuvichu and secretary general Prof D Kuolie stated that CAB is logically an amendment of the ‘Passport (Entry into India)’ for a uniform code of rule in the country. It is a ‘semantic shift’ intending to have a more forceful impact in the implementation pact.
The NU teachers pointed out that Nagaland is protected by the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and Article 371 (A) of the Constitution of India but its specification/provision has been clearly stated. In terms of the CAB, Nagas will automatically fall within the concept/term of ‘Indian national’ which Naga political history has not demanded till date, it said.
And if CAB becomes a law of the nation, the standing protective law mentioned above for the Nagas, will summarily be overruled, or become secondary because of the fact that CAB contains no provision to safeguard ILP or Article 371 (A), the NU teachers observed.
Consequently, the ongoing process towards Naga political solution would be at stake under the CAB if passed and become a law of the nation, it added.
Meanwhile, the NU teachers also sought the attention of the Nagaland Government to the resolution on Article 371 (A) and ILP at the Government of Nagaland meeting held on January 31 at Police Complex, Chümoukedima with tribe leaders, civil societies and NGOs on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016.
It stated that the suggestions from some of the tribe hohos that, protection by Article 371 (A) must be discussed further in the legislative assembly do not figure in the said resolution of the January 31 meeting.
It has therefore urged the government to thoroughly deliberate on the claim of protection by Article 371 (A) by the legislators in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in public interest.
The NU teachers further reiterated that CAB is non secular and will affect not only demographics of the region but also the state of Nagaland and its indigenous inhabitants. It said citizenship will be based on religion, and would destroy the very basis of secularism.
Also pointing out that ILP has many loopholes, the NU teachers had extended support to the extension of ILP to Dimapur which has been flooded by illegal immigrants, better checking and tracking mechanism as recommended by the ILP committee.
