Hon’ble Sir,
The State of Nagaland was created as the 16th State of the Union of India on the 1st December, 1963 out of the political agreement based on the 16-Point Memorandum of the then Naga Peoples’ Convention submitted to GOI in 1960. The points contained in the Memorandum were incorporated in the Constitution of India by which Nagaland was given special status under Art 371(A). It is also imperative to add that the erstwhile British colonial rule found the Nagas were few in population occupying a limited area of land. Those rulers who managed to keep the present Kohima and Dimapur Districts only under their administrative control realized that lest these indigenous Nagas were protected with stringent legal measure, they can be easily submerged should the intrusion of outsiders be freely allowed to come and mingle in settlement. The colonial rulers therefore introduced the enforcement of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) of 1873 generally known as Inner Line Permit (ILP). By this ILP, even Indians who are not indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland are required to obtain permit to visit Nagaland with maximum duration of 15 days.
Acknowledging and accepting the existence of different ethnic communities with different religions, different languages and with dissimilarities of traditions and customs and yet coexisting in a country, the framers of the constitution of India made the fundamental law embracing all those diversities on equal footing. The essence of the constitution is therefore ‘unity in Diversity’ and the culture of secularism. Despite facing challenges India has survived as a strong nation mainly because the minor religious and linguistic communities feel protected under those secular principles enshrined in the constitution of India. Whereas, the CAB 2016 is posing the greatest threat to us, the minorities, for the first time in the history of India in its 72 years of existence as a sovereign nation. It is unfortunate that the union Govt. is so determined to bring this amendment on the basis of religion which is anti-thesis to secular spirit.
Whereas, the State of Nagaland has a very porous border of more than 400 km distance with Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It is therefore practically impossible to totally restrict the intrusion of outsiders into Nagaland despite the restrictive rules. Whereas, when the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) of 2016 which has been passed by Lok Sabha on 8th January, 2019 and the same may be tabled in Raja Sabha on any day as Parliament is in session now. Whereas, when the CAB 2016 is approved by both Houses of Parliament and when it receives the assent of the President of India, it becomes a law. Whereas, by this law it is going to be very liberal without much formalities for the concerned authority to give registration to those who come from few foreign countries and seeking for citizenship registration including those who failed to get it under the exercises of NRC in Assam. This Bill, when enacted, will enable millions of foreigners to become Indian citizens instantly within a short span of time. That Sir, in the process, those newly registered Indian citizens in particular will definitely flock to Nagaland from Assam in particular as it is one of the epicentres.
Whereas, in the event of Nagaland being flooded by such floating population, under compelling reasons, the State will resort to use its legal authority to flush out those who are not entitled to remain in Nagaland as per its protective laws. When such situation occurs, there will be rooms for acrimony between the States and also between the Union Govt. and the State Govt. and such will hamper the Union and the State relationship. Nevertheless, the survival of Nagaland cannot be mortgaged for submission.
A law is basically enacted by the Nation to protect, preserve and enhance the betterment of its citizens. When any new law or amendment of the existing law is legislated, the citizens under it should feel more secured from internal suppression or oppression and from external threats. On the contrary, the CAB 2016 is subjectively aimed at giving rights and protection to foreigners in India at the cost of its indigenous citizens who are now exposed to threats to their very existence. Is India under BJP is for Indians or for foreigners? We, indeed, do not appreciate the attitude of the Union Govt. when its loyalty and accountability to its indigenous citizens are shifted to those non-Indians. Such attitude tantamount to undermining the bona fide Indian citizens as though we have become obsolete in the consideration of the Union Govt. and for which we should be replaced by those foreigners.
In the light of above, we urge upon the Honourable President of India not to give assent to the controversial Bill even when it is passed by both Houses of Parliament or not to give assent when the Union Govt. resorts to make it a law through Ordinance.
