NPF holds anti-CAA protests across Nagaland

NPF stages a sit-in-protest against CAA in Kohima on February 11. (Morung Photo) 
 

Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 11

The opposition Naga People’s Front (NPF) today held protests across the State against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) with the party’s divisions holding sit in protests in all districts of Nagaland. 

Addressing the protest at Naga Shopping Arcade, Dimapur, President of the Naga People’s Front (NPF), Dr Shürhozelie Liezetsu, said the CAA is “discriminatory and divisive” and that the NPF would never accept the slogan ‘One nation, one religion.’

“It is an Act just to support one religion, to suppress others, though few names of other religions are mentioned in the Act, including Christianity for cover-up….The purpose of this CAA is to do away with that ‘unity in diversity’ which means, this Act will destroy the greatness of India,” the NPF president said.

“NPF stands for secularism and democracy as enshrined in the Preamble of the India Constitution. As such we stand to defend our faith to whichever religion we belong,” the NPF president said.

He meanwhile expressed concern at the effects the Act would potentially have. 

“Why should we oppose if the Hindus from Bangladesh want to come to India. But we know that these people will not get land either in West Bengal or Bihar, their entry point states. In that case where will these people go? The density of population in Bihar stands at 1102 per sq km, and in West Bengal it stands at 1029 sq km. In Nagaland, the density of population stands at 119 per sq km. Now, you can work out the logic in what manner population stabilization will be worked out by the Government of India in due course of time”, he said.

He meanwhile appealed to political parties in the state “not to gamble with the future of our children for their own prestige sake or for their immediate gain.” 

He further talked about the economy and stated: “India was an emerging global economic power and every Indian was proud of such progress. But today, all the reports about the India economy is negative.”

In the present unpredictable economic scenario of the country, Shürhozelie wondered if the people of Nagaland are prepared to face any eventuality, including their very survival in terms of food provisions.

In the State capital Kohima, the protest was held at Phoolbari, where newly elected NPF General Secretary, Achumbemo Kikon said "Not only outside the assembly we are protesting, but we are fighting for our people even inside the house.” 

The NPF Mokokchung Division orgainsed the protest at Imlong Place, Mokokchung, with division President, Moasangba Jamir stating that Nagas were small in number and that they would be outnumbered by immigrants in their own land in the future if they do not take timely precautionary and preventive measures. 

He also cited that the total population of Mokokchung district was less than 2 lakhs whereas, CAA will give citizenship to millions of illegal immigrants. “Therefore, CAA is anti-Ao, anti-Naga, anti-North East,” he reasoned. The protest in Mokochung was also joined by Dr. Huskha Yepthomi, NPF Working President.

In Kiphire, the NPF division held its protest at Delu Point. Speaking at the program, Justin Khatomong T, President, Divisional Unit, Kiphire said that the strength of India lies in its diversity and added that India as a secular country should hold fast to its values. 

The NPF Wokha unit also held a dharna with NPF Vice President, Tsumongo Ovung asking all “right thinking citizens and organizations” to discuss in length to oppose the CAA for the sake of the younger generation. MLA, Dr. Chumben Murry MLA, who was also at the protest in Wokha said that the ILP, (BEFRA) 1873 as well as Article 371 (A) would not be protection against the CAA. 

In Phek, Thenucho Tunyi, Working President NPF Central, also said that ILP cannot guarantee to stop the entry of illegal immigrants as it was there in the past yet no successive government could implement it effectively.

The protest comes in the midst of the State’s NLA Budget session, which will resume on February 13, where debate on the CAA has been a major feature. On the floor of the house, the NPF has repeatedly asked the ruling PDA government to pass a resolution in the house against the CAA. 

Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio along with other top PDA leaders have however remained firm that the State remains protected and excluded from the CAA, through its special status, courtesy the BEFR and the ILP, which the Government of India, included in the master copy of the bill.