DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 22 (MExN): The Lotha Youth Forum (LYF) today expressed its opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
While stating that “we cannot ignore the positive sides of the Act,” a press release from the LYF media cell however noted that “we cannot simply follow the dictates of our political leaders without rhymes and reasons based on realities.”
It said that protection of North East region from illegal immigrants has miserably failed and the implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is “a pure suggestive direction towards which we do not belong.”
“CAA is painted with colours that taint the secular principle of the Indian constitution. Equality before the law under Article 14 of the constitution is under jeopardy,” it added.
The forum stated that “we cannot let our neighbouring states burn for no fault of theirs. If any part of North East region fall victim under the Act, expect the worst coming for us. Our regional interest must be protected for posterity.”
In the name of CAA, the sons of the soil are threatened of their rich cultural heritage, it observed, and stated that the Act is “divisive, fascist in nature and a poison to democracy.”
It said that the CAA “is a creation to systematically drain the economic well being of the region and the whole nation at large. The Act is nothing short of conceited ignorance working under vexed political conditions of concocted fantasies.”
The forum meanwhile lamented that Naga MPs voted in favour of the Bill without the consent of the people they represent and “therefore they will be held accountable and answerable to the people.”
It acknowledged that there are certain exceptions and provisions given to the North East Region on the premise of the Areas covered by the Sixth Schedule of the constitution and those areas covered under the Inner Line Permit.
However, “given a deep thought on the matter at hand, it is comical to assume that the ILP and Article 371 (A) of the Indian constitution are enough to protect us,” the LYF said. It added that the ILP has “become an illegal money mending mechanism rather than protecting and safeguarding the identity and existence of the indigenous people of Nagaland.”
There are much greater and grave matters for the government to attend than to amend the Citizenship Act of 1955, it pointed out.
“The need to resurrect employment opportunities, GDP, Health sector, education, road connectivity and transportation facilities, e-governance, tourism, inter-faith ties, and encouraging scientific timbre are still on the platter for materialization,” the LYF said.
If the CAA has to be implemented at any cost, the LYF stated that “first and foremost, the safety and interest of citizens has to be place above all as utmost priority.”
