SHILLONG: The need to address the issue of influx dominated the discussion of the North East Indigenous People Forum (NEIPF) comprising former rebel groups of the North east at a meeting held at Orchid Lake Resort, Umiam on Monday.
Those who were part of the NEIPF include pro-talk United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), Dima Halim Daogah (DHD), Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO), Federation of Khasi-Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (IM), Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC).
The NEIPF held the first meeting of the sub-committee in which they voiced their opposition to the decision of the Central government to bring amendment to the Citizenship Amendment Act.
Spokesperson of NEIPF and leader from Manipur, M. Ibumgochoudibi, informed that the forum was formed to address concerns of illegal immigration to the NER which poses a threat to the existence of indigenous communities.
According to him, illegal immigrants come from neighboring countries of Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan and Nepal.
Stating that India shares over 5,500 km border in the North Eastern Region with neighboring countries, Ibumgochoudibi said that the borders are porous easing the entry of migrants.
He assured that the Forum will strive to fight the grievances faced by the indigenous community and will take up the matter with the Central government over influx.
He informed that the Forum has elected pro-talks ULFA general secretary, Anup Chetia as the chief convener of the Forum. It will soon have the logo, flag and motto to reflect the bond of the unity among the NE states.
Ibumgochoudibi was aggrieved at the Supreme Court’s direction to grant citizenship to Hajong and Chakma settling in Arunachal Pradesh, as it will affect the indigenous people in the state. He also said if there was migration of Rohingya refugees to the NER, the security of the region would be at stake.
When contacted, president of FKJGP, Wellbirth Rani asserted that refugees should not be categorized on the basis of religion, whether the Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar or Hindu refugees from Bangladesh or other neighbouring countries. “Indian citizenship should not be based only on religion,” he said.