Lotha Youth Hoho cautions ILP, Article 371 won’t protect land or people

‘MPs who voted in favour will be answerable’

Dimapur, Dec. 27 (EMN): The Lotha Youth Hoho has cautioned against the Citizenship Amendment Act which the Lotha youth organisation called “fascist” and “divisive,” a government action that also undermines the democratic, fundamental principles of equality and secularism.

The organisation rubbished claims that the Inner Line Permit mechanism or the provisions in Article 371 (A) would protect the people of Nagaland, their land or culture.

Such an assumption is “comical,” the Hoho stated in a press release that was issued on Saturday to the media.

The controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 is an amendment to the Citizenship Act of 1955. The Act grants Indian citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis fleeing ‘religious persecution’ in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, who arrived in India on or before December 31 2014.

“Given a deep thought on the matter at hand, it is comical to assume that the ILP and Article 371 (A) of the Indian constitution are enough to protect us. ILP has become illegal money mending mechanism rather than protecting and safeguarding the identity and existence of the indigenous people of Nagaland,” the organisation stated.

‘There are much greater and grave matters for the government to attend then to amend the Citizenship Act of 1955,’ the press release stated.

‘The need to resurrect employment opportunities, GDP, health sector, education, road connectivity and transportation facilities, e-governance, tourism, inter-faith ties, and encouraging scientific temper are still on the platter for materialisation.’

The organisation urged that the safety and interest of citizens are to be placed above all as utmost priority.

“It is imperative to take a dig into history for references and light our candles in this profound darkness of the Act. We cannot ignore the positive sides of the Act. However, we cannot simply follow the dictates of our political leaders without rhymes and reasons based on realities.”

The Lotha Youth Hoho listed out some reasons for its opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act.

“Protection of Northeast region from the illegal immigrants has miserably failed and the implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act is a pure suggestive direction towards which we do not belong,” the organisation warned.

‘Citizenship Amendment Act is painted with colours that taint the secular principle of the Indian constitution.’

The community youth organisation reminded that equality before the law as stated in Article 14 of the constitution is ‘under jeopardy.’

‘We cannot let our neighbouring states burn for no fault of theirs. If any part of Northeast region falls victim under the Act, expect the worst coming for us. Our regional interest must be protected for posterity.’

“In the name of CAA, the sons of the soil are threatened of their rich cultural heritage. The Act is divisive, fascist in nature and a poison to democracy. The Act is a creation to systematically drain the economic well-being of the region and the whole nation at large.”

The organisation stated the Act is “nothing short of conceited ignorance working under vexed political conditions of concocted fantasies.”

The members of the parliament who voted in favour of the bill will be held accountable, the organisation stated.

“MPs voted in favour of the Bill without the consent of the people they represent and therefore they will be held accountable and answerable to the people. There are certain exceptions and provisions given to the Northeast region on the premise of the areas covered by the Sixth Schedule of the constitution and those areas covered under the Inner Line Permit.”