Nagaland’s ILP, Citizenship Bill worry set before central govt.

Dimapur, June 30 (EMN): The central government is told about the ‘position and determination’ of the People’s Democratic Alliance government in Nagaland to implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) throughout the state. A related statement on a similar issue, the Citizenship Amendment Bill, was placed before the Centre that it should tread with prudence on said bill.

These contentions were said to have been given by deputy chief minister of Nagaland Y Patton who was in Delhi to meet with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Centre was requested to take into consideration the concerns around protecting the identity and culture of the indigenous people of the north-eastern states when taking decisions on said Bill.

The office of the deputy chief minister issued a press release to the media informing about the Delhi visit.
Patton was accompanied by TJ Longkumer, director general of Nagaland Police; and R Ramakrishnan Home

Commissioner, the updates stated. Patton said to have met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sat. June 29 at New Delhi.

Patton was stated to have explained the ‘position and determination’ of the PDA government to implement ILP throughout the state of Nagaland to protect the rights and interest of the indigenous people. This is keeping in mind the unique history of the Naga people and special legal provision granted to the state of Nagaland, the press release stated.

On the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill, the press release stated that the deputy chief minister reminded the Home minister about “the commitment of the central leadership” and to ‘take into consideration the concerns’ in protecting the identity and culture of the indigenous people of the north-eastern states when taking decisions on the Citizenship Bill.

In other matters, the Nagaland minister sought “help” to develop police infrastructure in the state. Patton ‘referred’ to the state being awarded the “best performing small state in the category of law and order” by India Today in 2018. Patton requested the government to help in the initiatives taken by the state government to improve the infrastructures for the police department and to “modernise the police forces to tackle with cyber crimes.”

The press release asserted that the Home minister assured “all possible help and assistance towards the initiatives of the state government.”

Further, the deputy chief minister gave updates to the Home minister about the prevailing law and order situation and the measures taken by the Nagaland government in coordination with security agencies, and civil society in maintaining peace and security in the state.

The state minister also put in a word for the Naga political talks. Patton ‘expressed hope that an honourable and acceptable solution will be reached at the earliest under the visionary leadership of honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the able guidance of Home Minister Amit Shah.’

The press release informed that Patton invited Shah to visit Nagaland to which the latter “expressed his willingness to visit the state at the earliest possible time.”

Further, Patton called on the state’s Advocate General KN Balgopal and apprised him about the “various legal issues that confronts the interest of the people of Nagaland.” The minister instructed the advocate to “take up all matters seriously in the appropriate legal forum on behalf of the state and assured him of all help and cooperation from the state government to this end,” the press release explained.