Dimapur, Sep. 13 (EMN): In an attempt to persuade the Nagaland government to check the possible influx of ‘illegal immigrants’ into the state, the Naga Student’s Federation (NSF) is organising a public gathering on September 14 at the clock tower in Dimapur at 11 am.
The rising fear of leaving 40 lakh people stateless in the second draft of the Assam’s National Register of Citizens published on July 30 had put the state of Nagaland on red alert assuming for possible influx of immigrants. Various organisations including the NSF had pressured the state government to tighten of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system and the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act of 1873. The federation initiated in detecting the ILP checking zones including the Chumukedima check gate and has been actively involved in this issue since then.
The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) president, Kesosul Christopher Ltu told Eastern Mirror that the main reason for the rally was to press the authority concerned on the issue of ‘illegal immigrants’, demand strict implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP), and inclusion of Dimapur under the ambit of ILP.
Giving background information about the federation’s initiative on the issue this year, Christopher said: “In the first phase, we started with the verification of ILP holders. The second phase was on August 24 where the federation submitted a memorandum to the chief minister through a public gathering. The third phase will be this rally.”
When asked about the government’s initiative of forming a committee earlier last month to streamline the system of ILP and the influx of illegal immigrants, he said that the NSF does not feel the need to form such a committee.
“Through the government approval, a committee was agreed upon to be formed in 2015. Likewise, in 2016, the committee was headed by the then commissioners including deputy commissioner (DC) Kohima, DC Dimapur, superintendent of police Kohima and deputy commissioner of police Dimapur, and secretary of justice and law. They submitted a final report and the finding of that,” said Christopher.
“So, the necessity for forming under committee or even the setting up of the committee on the prevention of illegal immigrants, when the state government has already formed a committee to do case study the ILP system in Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, the need to form another committee does not arise.”
The NSF has requested the citizens to extend support and cooperation towards the proposed public gathering.
