NTC points fingers at Centre, state governments

Dimapur, Jan. 9 (EMN): The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has expressed its dismay with the government of India over the passing of the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill on Tuesday amid strong protest from several quarters. Terming the government’s move as a lack of sympathy for the sentiments of the citizens of the country, it said that it will lend support protests against the bill spearheaded by North East Students Organization (NESO) and other like-minded organisations from Northeast. The council said in a statement that the controversial bill is detrimental particularly to minority communities like the Nagas. It also pointed fingers at the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government over its “soft” stand on the bill, asking whether it failed to understand the purpose of the bill or underestimated its ramifications. It also questioned the PDA on its indecisive stand on the issue which will affect the future of the indigenous citizens. NTC also questioned if the central government will pay heed to the resolution adopted by the state cabinet to request the centre to review the bill. “At this very juncture, the middle path posture is a misnomer as the need of the hour is yes or no. The lukewarm decision of the state cabinet has isolated itself from those states in Northeast that have out rightly opposed the bill,” it said, adding that “Nagaland is therefore eventually left friendless and voiceless.” The council claimed that the government of Nagaland had already decided not to oppose the bill last year and termed the recent decision to convene an all political party meeting to discuss on the issue as an “excuse” to stay away from the bill. It asked if the government wants to protect the settlement of illegal migrants in the state at the cost of the future of the sons of the soil and how PDA will stop the possible influx of illegal migrants “using ILP and Art 371(A) under the enforcement of the Citizenship Bill” when it has failed to find a strong mechanism to check such menace till date. Accusing the BJP of trying to create passage for the Hindus living in the neighbouring countries to settle in India, the NTC the Bill once passed by both the Upper and Lower house will have far reaching consequences on weaker states particularly in Northeast and that Nagaland too will become a victim. “We strongly urge the government to come out clear on its policy and programme to tackle the impending threats of the day,” read the statement. It may be mentioned that Nagaland state Cabinet had on Monday resolved to request the central government to “re-examine and review the Bill to ensure that it is in consonance with the provisions of the Constitution of India and the existing practices of the Nagas.” It also decided to convene an all political parties meeting to examine the issue in its entirety.