NSF demands mechanism to monitor ‘illegal immigrants’ in Dimapur

Eastern Mirror Desk

Dimapur, Sep. 14: Alleging absence of any mechanism to monitor the expiry as well as non-possession of Inner Line Permit (ILP) by ‘outsiders’, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on Friday demanded the Nagaland government to desist from what it termed as ‘random issue of ILP’. Instaed, it has asked the government to set up mechanism to compulsorily monitor and record the entry and exit of any ILP holder.

The NSF made this appeal during a public rally held near the Clock Tower in Dimapur on September 14 in the presence of thousands of students and concerned citizens. It demanded that Dimapur be included within the purview of ILP. Friday’s rally was the third phase initiative of the NSF towards checking ILP defaulters and influx of illegal immigrants into the state.

“The first phase of the checking of ILP defaulters and influx of illegal immigrants started on August 8, 2018. We carried out the second phase on August 24, 2018, where we had a rally and submitted a memorandum to our chief minister. We are here today on a third phase for demand to include Dimapur within the ambit of ILP,” NSF president Kesosul Christopher Ltu said at the rally.

“There is a random issue of ILP in which there is no mechanism to monitor the expiry and non-possession of ILP. The government should compulsorily monitor and record the entry and exit of any ILP holder. The role of administration, the role of our GB, the role of our colony ward and village chairmen has become very important in this issue; they have to properly authenticate a person’s document,” he asserted.

Mentioning that the system in Nagaland has become very convenient for ‘outsiders’ to procure ILP with the involvement of some middlemen, he urged every student and members of the public to be watchdogs and identify those middlemen and award befitting punishment.

“Those persons are equally responsible for the menace of the ILP here in the state. For the sake of few hundred rupees, please do not hijack the future of our young people,” the president stated.

While upholding the NSF’s commitment towards the common Naga cause, Kesosul expressed regret to notice some people with ‘questionable identities’ resorting to unwanted activities with intent to vitiate the peaceful environment. He categorically stated that the students’ organisation would not allow any person to demand money in the name of the Naga political struggle.

Asserting that the Nagas would not tolerate or allow those people to blemish image of the forefathers who had made supreme and selfless sacrifices for the Naga cause, he called on the political parties to desist from using those people. He has suggested imposing strict orders among the ranks and files of various Naga political groups to desist from doing the same.

“These people with questionable identities who have no iota of our cause (sic) and aspirations would not be allowed to move around in this manner,” Kesosul added.

Earlier, the vice president of Naga Council Dimapur (NCD), K Ghokheto Chophy, reminded the gathering that the movement for ILP was started by NCD in 2012 during the presidentship of Savi Liegise. Chophy said, “We started the signature campaign for inclusion of Dimapur in the purview of ILP in 2012.” He added that they have been working in tandem with Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) which culminated in forming the Joint Committee on Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI).

He urged NSF to join hands with the JCPI to deliberate on the things needed for the success of the cause. “Not only students and civil societies can do this, all the Nagas must unite,” he said.