Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb. 23 (EMN): The treasury and the opposition bench seem to have arrived at some common ground on the matters of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill on the third day of the ongoing third session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly—at least in their willingness to have a special assembly session.
During the discussion hour for adoption of resolution on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio tabled four resolutions: to sternly oppose and outrightly reject the Bill which shall not be implemented in Nagaland as it will impact the unique history and status of the Nagas under the constitution of India; to express solidarity with the states and communities of Northeast India in their struggle against the implementation of the Bill; to reaffirm the constitutional guarantee given by Article 371(A); and to reiterate the Constitutional position, that except for the indigenous population in Nagaland, none will be entitled to own land and resources in the state.
Opposition MLA, Imkong L Imchen requested the ruling bench for a special assembly session to discuss and debate on Article 371(A).
Minister for Higher and Technical Education, Temjen Imna Along said that unless the Nagas “shed off their sluggard attitude” the Citizenship Bill, whether it becomes a law in itself, will make no difference in the state. "Till today, it is us (Nagas) who infringe the laws of our land and bring illegal immigrants because of our laziness and personal greed to do our works. If we continue to behave and follow the same path, CAB or no CAB, it won't make any difference," he stated.
Along also assured to approach the central party leaders and advise them not to amend the Bill in its present form.
Kaito Aye, minister for Agriculture and Cooperation, said that his party, Janata Dal (United) has been one of the first national political parties to oppose the Bill. At the same time, he appealed to the members of the opposition not to be too critical of Article 371(A) as it was the reason why Nagas are “enjoying privileges and rights today.”
According to NPF legislator Dr. Chumben Murry, the party was not critical of Article 371(A). He said The Citizenship Bill was ‘set on religious biasness and, if passed, will pose a great threat.’
PWD minister Tongpang Ozukum, agreed that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was an issue of common importance, which needs to be addressed and fought together leaving aside political differences. He also asked the opposition bench to help ‘strengthen and protect’ Article 371(A) in the interest of the Naga people.
Advisor to IPR, SCERT and VG, Toshi Wungtung asked the House not to pass the blame between one another but ‘share the responsibility to revise the Citizenship Bill as it equally concerns the people of the state and its seven sisters.’
He also reminded the opposition bench to be cautious before making any political statements about Article 371 (A) since “it is the only power that is in the grasp of the Nagas to defend our rights and privileges.”
Due to time constraint, the discussion for the adoption of a bill was postponed to Feb. 25, with the leader of the opposition TR Zeliang and leader of the House, Neiphiu Rio yet to participate in the discussion.
