Members of Naga Students' Federation and North East Students' Organisation protest against the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act at Naga Solidarity Park in Kohima on March 12. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | March 12
The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) organised a protest against the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) by burning CAA rules this afternoon at Naga Solidarity Park in Kohima, expressing their resentment towards the Union Government's announcement.
The protest was held across the North-East States under the aegis of the North East Students' Organisation (NESO).
In his solidarity message, Mutsikhoyo Yhobu, Secretary General of NESO highlighted the influx of illegal immigrants as the biggest threat to the indigenous communities of the North-East today.
While Nagaland is exempted from the CAA, Yhobu expressed grave concern that its implementation in Assam and Tripura would affect the entire region.
As corridors for the influx of immigrants, he viewed that the implementation of the CAA would erode the indigenous inhabitants of the NE Region.
He cited examples, like Tripura (25-30%) and Assam (30-35%), where indigenous inhabitants have become minorities in their own states.
Even in Dimapur, Nagas have become a minority, comprising only about 20-25% of the population, Yhobu claimed. “As long as this act is exercise in our region, it will slowly finish us all.”
Stating that the student bodies have genuine reasons and concerns about this Act, he called upon the governments of the NE states to give their support to the student communities in their respective states in the fight against this Act.
“Indigenous people are the cream of India and the beauty of the nation lies in the NE region,” he asserted, regretting that the central government is yet to realise this fact.
Former NSF President, Kegwayhun Tep said NESO has been protesting against this very act ever since it was in discussion as it is against secularism.
Despite its protest, he expressed disappointment that the government of the day has finally amended and introduced the Act and termed it as “very saddening and against the will of the people.”
Extending solidarity to those states in the NE where CAA has been implemented, Tep remarked that it is a threat, and would have an adverse impact on the geo-political existence of the indigenous people.
NSF President, Medovi Rhi while extending solidarity to NESO and the rest of the NE states pledged to continue to pressure the government in all capacities.
Following a brief programme, the protestors shouted slogans and burnt the CAA rules.
CAA not to be implemented in tribal areas of NE
Meanwhile, the PTI news agency quoting “officials” reported on Tuesday that the tribal areas, where autonomous councils were created under the 6th Schedule, are exempted from the purview of the CAA from the law that was passed in 2019. Most tribal areas in North East states, including those granted special status under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution, have been kept out of the purview of Act, which came into effect on Monday, it added. Furthermore, PTI said that according to the law, it is also not going to be implemented in those North East states where Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime is in existence.
