Worried Angami youths ponder on threat of IBIs

Dimapur, Sep. 8 (EMN): At a time when the whole northeast region is reeling under the shadow of fear over influx of illegal immigrants from Assam especially after the publication of the final draft list of National Register of Citizens in Assam, the Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) on Sep 8. organised a discourse on demographic threats and discussed how best to control the unabated entry of Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants (IBIs) into the state.

The discourse, hosted by Kuda Youth Club at the Jotsoma Community hall, Kuda village in Dimapur, had Savi Liegeise, Kelhouseto Nakhro and Ruokuolhou Angami as the panellists who shared their deep thoughts and understanding about the whole issue.

Panellist Savi Liegeise, while sharing his views said that the Naga society was facing dangers in the form of Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants (IBI) and like numerous European countries, India was facing the force of IBIs which has risen to 20 million with possibly more unaccounted for and living under the radar.

Addressing on the main topic “Demographic Threats”, Liegeise shared significant opinion to IBI menace which includes raising the state government to strictly enforce available laws to stop the influx of illegal immigrants, everyone should extend their support to and cooperation to genuine civil organisations battling the IBI problem; not giving space to IBIs- either for residential, commercial or religious purposes, discourage womenfolk from marrying IBIs, desist from undertaking business partnership with IBIs, cease inducting IBIs into Naga national service and stop protecting or adopting IBIs for monetary favours.

Bengal Frontier Regulation Act, 1873 was one of the most important acts passed by the British to preserve and protect the identity and culture of the Nagas, maintained Kelhouseto Nakhro addressing on the ‘Merits and Demerits of Bengal Frontier Regulation Act, 1873’.

Nakhro said Assam Land Revenue Regulation, 1886, was also another important legislation which was passed to ensure that land belonging to the Nagas do not fall into the hands of people from other ethnicity. He meticulously presented an understanding to the audience into the various regulations and the beneficial implications which were all projected at ensuring the protection of Nagas from harmful outside influences and dilution of cultural and traditional practices.

Another panellist of the discourse, Ruokuolhou Angami addressing on ‘Angamis on Prioritising Work Culture Responsibilities’ said ‘often Nagas rely too much on other people for a multiplicity of jobs which has led to lack of responsibility for work culture’. He therefore persuaded the youths to restore the work culture which was prevalent in the past and which would, in turn, resist the dangers posed by the demographic threats.

Representatives from all the village councils, youth organisations, women organisations, churches and students’ union under Chakhroma area attended the programme.