PAC under the aegis of Naga Council is constrained to undertake a “Pledge Campaign” in view of the grave threat posed by illegal Bangladeshi immigrants (IBIs) on our survival as a people of an ethnic community. The recent conflict in Bodoland between indigenous Bodos and illegal Bangladeshi immigrants (IBIs) has confirmed our worst fears; that the safety of our land and people can no longer be guaranteed as long as aliens remain in our land illegally.
The Pledge Campaign will be launched on 14th August, 2012 at 11 am, Naga Council building coinciding with Naga Independence Day symbolically representing the twin objective of freedom from aliens and economic independence.
The Pledge Campaign was unanimously agreed upon by the house at the last PAC/NC public meeting held on 29th July in the office of Naga Council and a resolution in support was passed by NC executive and Councillors, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, GBs, Colony Chairmen Forum, YAN, Senior Citizens, tribal hoho presidents, tribal youth organisations as well as various colony/youth organizations, well wishers, presidents of various welfare organizations, Niuland Citizen’s Forum and DNSU, past and present members both.
PAC’s “Pledge Campaign” is a signature campaign to arouse Naga people to socially and economically boycott illegal Bangladeshi immigrants (IBIs) at purely voluntary and individual level. This campaign takes its inspiration from the successful “Swadeshi” and “Boycott” movements against British rule in India. It has its roots in Gandhian form of agitation such as “Non Co-operation Movement (NCM)” and “Civil Disobedience Movement”. The Pledge Campaign is not about Muslims nor is it about hatred and violence but it is about the danger posed by illegal immigration into the state. It is a campaign to reassert our control over our land, resources and economy through peaceful means. The Pledge Campaign is an “Awareness Campaign” to counter the conspiracy of “Greater Bangladesh” and negate a lie, that is, there are no illegal Bangladeshis in India and Assam which vote-bank spin doctors such as Assam CM Tarun Gogoi spread, thereby willfully marginalizing indigenous peoples such as Bodos, Nagas, Assamese and other communities in Northeast India.
As mentioned, this is a non-violent form of campaign to re-assert the primacy of Naga identity and usher in economic independence. The Pledge Campaign will be one of the most passive forms of campaign ever undertaken and under no circumstances will IBIs be ill-treated. This campaign is a silent disapproval against every individual patronizing IBIs in Nagaland & NE India. The success of this programme lies in conviction, that is, the person taking the pledge should be wholly convicted that he is doing the right thing in the interest of Naga nation. This campaign appeals to the patriotism of Nagas; that one should be prepared to sacrifice one’s luxuries and needs out of love for the Naga people.
This campaign shall cover all the districts of Nagaland with the help of tribal hohos and student bodies, and all mass based organizations like NSF, NMA, Naga hoho, ENPO, ENSF, etc. are requested to co-ordinate and co-operate to make the campaign a success. The vast network of The Naga Blog (TNB) with several thousand members and their unflinching support is solicited by PAC.
The pledge shall be along two lines and every Naga will be requested to take the pledge upholding below;
1. The whole gamut of IBIs business establishments, whether paan shop, butchers, vegetable vendors, 2nd hand retail shops, groceries, etc., shall be boycotted. In short, there shall be a total economic boycott. Any business establishment employing IBIs shall be boycotted too. However, keeping in view the immediate economic realities of the state, IBI labour force, including agriculture labourers shall be kept outside the purview of boycott for the time being but such will be considered in the next phase. Citizens are requested to patronize Naga business establishments and that of Indian citizens such as Marwaris, Biharis, Bengalees, etc.
2. Every bonafide Naga shall pledge not to keep IBIs as tenants- in their own residences, plots and commercial buildings. Living space shall be denied to IBIs at all cost. This is part of social boycott.
“Pledge Registers” will be placed outside the building of Naga Council and at prominent places like shops, popular hangouts, etc., for people to sign. Slowly but surely such registers will be placed all over the districts under the sponsorship or patronage of local organizations. At this critical juncture when Nagas are facing the very threat to its survival, failure cannot be an option. The pledge campaign shall strive to collect atleast 1,00,000 signatures by year end. Suffice to say, it is not the numbers which is most important but the commitment to stay true after the pledge is taken which will be most challenging for the simple reason that illegal immigrants populate our land and control our economy.
Sd/-
Co-ordinator
Public Action Committee (PAC) on IBI
Under the aegis of Naga Council
12/8/12
NB: PAC is made up of Naga Council Executives and Councillors, presidents of all tribal Hohos, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, GBs of Dimapur, Chairmen Forum Dimapur, Senior Citizens, and YAN (Youth Association of Nagaland).
My Pledge, Our Future
“I pledge that I shall wholly and steadfastly boycott illegal Bangladeshi immigrants (IBIs) socially and economically. I shall not lease out my premises, including both residential and commercial, to IBIs, as part of my social commitment. I shall boycott all the business establishments of IBIs who now control the economy of our state and instead patronize fellow Nagas and fellow Indians. This pledge is borne out of love for my Naga people”.
Kuknalim!
___________________
(signature)
