(Morung Photo)
Members of NSF during their sit-in protest against CAB out Raj Bhavan, Kohima on December 10.
Morung Express News
Kohima | December 10
Expressing strong resentment against the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) today held a sit-in protest against the CAB outside Raj Bhavan, Kohima.
Stating that the protest is in solidarity with the rest of the NE states, NSF President Ninoto Awomi, mentioned that the indigenous people of the northeast region is already facing a massive threat of influx of ‘illegal immigrants.’
Updating on a previous meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah on December 3, Awomi informed that Shah is said to have apprised the NSF team that Nagaland state will be exempted from the purview of CAB, besides Nagaland being provided with ILP.
"Though Nagaland state has ILP provision, with the given poor mechanism we have in place, Nagaland is not being able to control influx of illegal immigrants even today. And also, as we all know that the entire Northeast region is like one block and therefore if even a small pocket in the Northeast region is imposed with CAB it will be like opening another porous border and Nagaland state will not be safe, the entire Northeast region will be affected," viewed Awomi adding that CAB is 'anti-minority' and 'anti-indigenous people'.
The probability of indigenous peoples becoming minority in their own lands once CAB is imposed in the Northeast region, were further highlighted.
"This is a common issue for all the Northeastern states and NSF as one of the constituent unit of NESO will go to any extent to see to it that this CAB does not see the light of the day in the Northeastern region.
“We earnestly appeal to the Union Government to respect the sentiments and aspiration of the minority Northeastern region and protect its citizens instead of sheltering illegal migrants," urged Awomi.
The NSF further appealed to all the educated youths and right thinking citizens of the state to come forward and support the fight against CAB which threatens the very existence of indigenous people.
"Together let us make this journey worthwhile," appealed Awomi.
Multiple implications
While assurances are being given by the Government of India that states like Nagaland will not be affected by the Bill, NSN Lotha, former President, NSF argued that the CAB will aggravate the already disturbed demographic nature of the NE.
"I would downrightly reject the fact that the BEFR 1873 will protect the people against this amendment. There is no justification that ILP will nullify citizenship granted under this amended Bill because there is no such provision to say that any citizen who has been given citizenship in one state will not be recognised in the other states which is covered under BEFR 1973," he asserted.
Even if the Inner Line Permit (ILP) ensures protection, Nagaland is not protected, according to Lotha, "because the most populated district of this State which will consist of almost one sixth or one seventh of the State's population is outside the purview of the ILP.”
“Dimapur is the breeding ground of all illegal immigrants and I would say with all clarity that after Assam, Nagaland is the most threatened state as far as CAB is concerned," stated Lotha.
It must be mentioned here that the Nagaland state government has expanded the coverage of the ILP regime to include Dimapur district within its purview.
Abhijit Sinha, Principal Secretary to the Government of Nagaland confirming the development told The Morung Express today that it came into effect on December 9 via a state Cabinet decision passed on the same day.
Meanwhile, in the Constitutional aspect, Lotha further asserted that CAB is an antithesis of the Constitution of India, where the preamble of the Constitution enshrines on a Sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic country.
"It has broken the very preamble of the Constitution. Secondly, it has outrightly destroyed one part of the fundamental right - Right to equality because this Bill is very much religion in nature. If we are to give citizenship on grounds of humanitarian aspect, it should not be on basis of religion. The Right to equality must prevail but it cast out certain religion and include certain religions," he added.
On the political aspect, Lotha mentioned that the CAB is the agenda of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) towards Hindutva policy of 'One Nation, One Religion and One Race'.
Acknowledging the efforts of the NSF in opposing the Bill, Lotha urged for solidarity in the interest of the younger generation and the present generation too.
"Let us not be politically divided. Let us not be carried away by temporary political motive that provides temporary materials to be used for few years," remarked Lotha.
E. Krelo, Tribunal Member, NSF also spoke on various sections of the CAB. Effigies were also burned during the protest.
