Nagaland Congress stage protest against CAA, NRC

Will never allow the Act to be implemented in the state, vows NPCC prez 

Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 21 

The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on Saturday staged a peaceful public rally to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 and National Register of Citizens (NRC) at Khermahal Police Point, Dimapur. 

Addressing the rally, NPCC president, K Therie forewarned that the CAA which grants Indian citizenship to non-muslims of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh if implemented will inundate the North East Region. He also pointed out that with the implementation of NRC in Assam; more than 19 lakhs Assamese people are already in detention camps.

Therie said CAA is in violation of the constitution, because of which India has been divided.  

“We will have to feed the outsiders, give them land, jobs while we cannot even feed our farmers or get employment,” stated Therie while claiming that the foreigners that come for citizenship will have dual citizenship. 

Calling for a unified battle against the Act, Therie said, “Be it regional or national party, it is time to unite and fight against the BJP party for its anti people’s policies.” He vowed that Congress will never allow CAA and NRC to be implemented in the state. 

“As long as we are here we will not allow, we will protest against the CAA and NRC, even to death if need be,” assured Therie.

Therie further accused the two Members of Parliament from Nagaland of indecision.  “One MP said he supported the Act because he was told by the party to do so. The other MP didn’t even confront the party; he himself went and supported the Act,” said Therie. 

Former NPCC president SI Jamir reacted that after the BJP government came to power, the party has been troubling the country and apprehended that the CAA will break India.

The veteran politician maintained that in the history of Dimapur there never was any communal riot and everybody practised their own faith with togetherness. CAA, he said will break the country and therefore Nagas should reject the Act. "From today Nagas should unite and declare the rejection of CAA," he stressed.

“India is burning, the whole country is burning; and in the Northeast states also there is fire,” said former Nagaland chief minister and congressman, KL Chishi while pointing out that there is big danger approaching Nagaland.

While terming the claims made by the PDA government on the CAA as a lie, Chishi argued that Article 371(A) is only for land resources, religious and customary practices which was why the CAA would arrive in the State in no time. 

Accusing the PDA government of selling Nagaland “without shedding a tear,” Chishi further alleged that they are only concerned about who will become a Cabinet Minister or MLA.

“We have to remove the CAA together; Nagas and non Nagas of Nagaland,” said Chishi reminding that even non Nagas who have been here for generations have to have a permit.  Condemning the discriminatory and divisive politics of the Government of India led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Chishi said the Congress party will fight tooth and nail to oppose the CAA and NRC.

Convenor of Northeast Indigenous Forum and Nagaland Indigenous Forum, Kahuto Chishi accused the NDPP and NPF of political prostitution. Chishi remarked, "NDPP and NPF are like prostitutes but even prostitutes will be ashamed of them".

Chishi asserted, "I know of BJP propaganda. They are not Hindu but want to take the power of Hindu to discriminate people. They are selling our land while the government is violating our Constitution." There are more than 40,000 registered NGOs in Nagaland where are they now, he also questioned, as he challenged them to stop all that was happening in the country and in the state.

A number of anti-CAA demonstrators attended the peaceful protest carrying banners which read “Democracy is murdered by CAA,” “We are anti-CAA,” “Give us economy, not CAA,” etc.