Dimapur, August 2 (MExN): The Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has expressed concern over the potential influx of illegal settlers into Nagaland following ongoing eviction drives in neighbouring Assam, particularly in areas bordering the state.
In a statement issued by NCD President Etsungmomo Kikon and General Secretary LK Peter Anal, the organisation said it is alarmed at the “possibility of influx migratory flock of illegal settlers into Nagaland State at this whirling moment of time” due to “massive evictions and issued order to move away in person” in Assam, especially from areas adjoining Nagaland.
The NCD acknowledged and appreciated the “proactive actions of timely preventive measures” initiated by the state government, Dimapur Naga Students' Union, other student bodies and organisations, GBs, the Dimapur Urban Colony Chairmen Federation (DUCCF), and chairmen of various colonies and villages spanning from Peren to Mon districts.
“It is learnt from the reported sources that so far anti-illegal settlers influx actions adopted are successful through effective application of strategical defensive maneuvers by police, law enforcement agencies and competent Naga Civil Society Organisations/tribal bodies mentioned above at all the entry points in Nagaland-Assam border and for which NCD is extending its thanks and appreciations to them,” it stated.
While acknowledging the complexity of the issue, the NCD described the matter of illegal settlers and the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime as a “lingering chronic and sensitive” one, adding that “the process of solving the issue could not be done a short of period of time. It needs steadfast and steady steps in educating the people concerned.”
It also warned that some vested individuals might misuse the ongoing preventive actions by the state and civil society organisations “to project Nagas as discriminating other non-Naga communities to tarnish the image of Nagas in outside world. So, this issue should be handled with optimum care.”
The NCD further urged the state government to publicly declare “all those CSOs and agencies who are authorised to be guarantors or checking ILPs etc.” It claimed to have received reports of impersonators allegedly collecting fees from non-Nagas under the guise of ILP checks, terming it “another form of extortion.”
“To address this, the Government should authorise the village authority in rural areas as well as colony Chairmen or GBs etc for checking systematically the illegal settlers or ILP at grass root level,” the NCD recommended.
