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Neiphiu Rio addressing the gathering during an interactive meeting with the chairmen and GBs of the wards/villages of Dimapur Sardar and other neighbouring villages in the conference Hall of DC Dimapur on September 4.[/caption]
Dimapur, Sep. 4 (EMN): Amid fears of influx of ‘illegal immigrants’ to Nagaland after nearly 20 lakh people were left out of the final National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and other top state government functionaries had an interactive meeting with the chairmen and GBs of the wards/villages of Dimapur Sardar and other neighbouring villages in the conference Hall of DC Dimapur on September 4 to discuss issues related to NRC and implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP).
The meeting was convened two days after the state government ordered strengthening of all entry points and check gates manned by the police to prevent any possible influx in view of the publication of the final NRC list in neighbouring Assam. It was also attended by Deputy CM Y Patton, PHED Minister Jacob Zhimomi, chief secretary Temjen Toy, Commissioner Nagaland M Patton, DC Dimapur Kevekha Kevin Zehol, Commissioner of Police Limasunep Jamir and other senior state government officers.
Addressing the gathering, Rio described Dimapur as miniature India and the commercial hub of Nagaland, with the presence of both genuine as well as people of “doubtful origin,” according to an update from DPRO Dimapur. He felt that ILP must be accorded in Dimapur on priority to avoid complications as the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) might take some more time with many exercises to be looked into.
“To make Dimapur a better place, government alone cannot help, and therefore it has to be a peoples’ movement,” he maintained.
Pointing out that Dimapur has become a city of criminals, he said many people with doubtful origin are eyeing to settle down in Dimapur. In the wake of all these, he asked the grassroots leaders to extend their continued cooperation. He also reminded that the GBs are representatives of the Government and requested them to work efficiently and sincerely for better future of Nagaland.
Saying that ILP implementation will depend on the grassroots leaders, Rio urged them for proper identification of illegal immigrants in their respective wards and also “requested the district administration and police machinery to remain vigilant for ensuring strict ILP checking, in order to prevent possible influx of illegal immigrants.”
Talking about the Citizen Amendment Bill, Rio said it was introduced in the Parliament and passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8 this year but reiterated that it would not affect the Naga society as “Nagas are protected under Article 371(A) which came through the 16th Point Agreement.” He also encouraged the Nagas to speak in one voice with unity.
Patton said at the meeting that issues relating to RIIN, ILP and NRC need to be taken up on priority after lakhs of people living in Assam being excluded from the final NRC list. He said north-eastern states like Mizoram and Meghalaya have started sealing its borders, as there is a “possibility of such people trying to sneak into other states.”
Reminding that Dimapur Sardar and neighbouring areas share a porous border with Assam, Patton appealed to the Dimapur district administration and police to put more effort in checking and stopping people of doubtful origin from entering the state. He added that it is imperative for the public and leaders at the grassroots like chairmen of wards, village council and GBs to remain vigilant as they know genuine residents under their jurisdiction better.
“We all have to play our part to ensure that there is no influx of illegal immigrants to our state,” he said, adding that the people should inform the police and district administration if they notice abnormal increase of people with suspicious identity.
Zhimomi in his brief address advised the village GBs and chairmen to stay united and work collectively to tackle the issue. Reminding them that they are the lawmakers as per Naga tradition, he asked them “to leave all blame games and work sincerely for their respective wards and villages.”
The update from DPRO Dimapur also informed that the GBs and chairmen from several wards and villages, who attended the meeting, thanked the Rio-led PDA Government for their concern and giving them a platform to express their views.