Naga organisations say Citizenship Bill is ‘anti-indigenous people’

Student groups say they will boycott Republic Day celebrations across the state

Dimapur, Jan. 24 (EMN): Various Naga civil organisations have expressed opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill; conversely, supporting the Naga Students Federation’s call for boycott of Indian Republic Day.

The Naga Hoho on Thursday issued a statement reminding that it had been voicing against the bill since its introduction in 2016. “…the Naga Hoho vehemently rejects the sinister design of BJP-led NDA government in the centre striving to curb the inherent rights of the indigenous people to live freely in our own land through demographic politics and thereby undermining the sentiments of the people.”

In a short while, it stated, “this overpopulated migrant-prone state of Nagaland is also bound to be severely affected basing on the fact that over forty lakh non-Indian citizens may have to leave Assam is a warning bell for Nagaland state.”

It also termed the state government’s ‘linking of the Bengal Eastern Regulation Act of 1873 with the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill as either total ignorance or a political game.’ The Naga Hoho demanded that if the bill does not infringe upon Art. 371(A) as claimed by the PDA govt., there should be a special session of the Nagaland State Legislative Assembly to pass a resolution against the bill before it is passed in the Rajya Sabha. “Taking this seriously, the Naga Hoho fully supports the decision of the NSF to boycott the Indian Republic Day on 26th January which is most befitting to show our resentment to the centre.”

In a separate statement, the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation and its six federating units have urged the state government to reject the bill “outrightly.” It also suggested the state government to convene a special assembly to review and pass a resolution opposing the bill.

Some of the leading student organisations have also decided to boycott the Republic Day. The Eastern Nagaland Students’ Union (ENSF) and its six federating informed they have “independently” decided to boycott the Jan. 26 celebration.

“It is an irony that when the people of the state is demanding detection and deportation of illegal migrants (sic), the central government rather than doing that is trying to legalise the illegal migrants (sic). Cultural identity should be safeguarded because if the proposed amendments in the Citizenship Act are not withdrawn immediately, it will be a death knell for the indigenous people of Nagaland.”

The federation also questioned what it stated was the state government’s lack of political will to oppose the bill. It directed and empowered its federating units to enforce the boycott within their respective jurisdiction. “Further all educational institutions, schools and colleges are directed to refrain from participating in any events pertaining to R-Day celebrations.  Failing to comply with this directive shall invite stern action from the federation.”

Meanwhile, at the NSF’s directives, the All Sumi Students’ Union, the Rengma Students’ Union, and the Lotha Students’ Union have announced boycott of Republic Day in their respective jurisdiction.

They have all appealed educational institutions, students, and citizens in their jurisdictions not to participate in any of the government activities/events related to the Republic Day celebrations.

Karbi bandh today 

Dimapur, Jan. 24 (EMN): To protest the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, various Karbi organisations—KSA, DSU, KSYC, HTL, KSU, KNA and KFA—have announced a 12-hour Karbi Anglong bandh, from 5 am to 5 pm, on Jan. 25. In a statement issued on Thursday, they stated that the bill was ‘going against the protection of indigenous people.’