GUWAHATI: Naga People’s Front (NPF), has termed the consultative meeting on Citizenship Amendment Bill, (CAB) 2016, convened by Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDDP)-led People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government at Dimapur on Thursday as “eyewash” as the lone NDPP MP in Lok Sabha had not opposed the contentious legislation when it was tabled in the House.
Justifying the regional party’s decision to boycott the Dimapur meet, NPF spokesperson, Achumbemo Kikon told The Shillong Times from Kohima on Thursday evening that NDPP, by abstaining from opposing CAB in Lok Sabha, had “no moral right” to hold a consultative meeting with civil society and other parties on the Bill.
“It is absurd and farcical and just an eyewash on the NDDP’s part to hold a consultative meeting on CAB. They want to put the blame on parties and civil society on the pretext of a consultative meeting, which is why we boycotted it. In fact, today we had a central executive committee meeting in Kohima and reiterated our stand as part of the resolutions taken,” Kikon said.
The NPF spokesperson further said the lone Rajya Sabha MP from the regional party, K.G. Kenye would oppose the Bill outright if it was not withdrawn.
“As the oldest regional party in the state, it is our bounden duty not to talk only on the Naga political issue but also to think about interests of the indigenous people of the Northeast when we perceive any threat. So, we do not need any certificate by anyone on what our view is in regard to the indigenous people of the region,” Kikon said.
He further refuted the PDA government statement that Nagaland was protected under Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) 1873. “The NDDP-led MDA is misleading the people. Article 371A and Inner Line Permit as per Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act of 1873 does not override CAB. The ILP alone cannot protect indigenous people’s rights,” he added.
Kikon further said the NPF had attended the 11-party consultative meeting in Guwahati as it was invited and since it was hosted by “like-minded” parties.
The Nagaland government had on Wednesday invited all political parties, tribal hohos and NGOs of the state to a consultative meeting at the Nagaland Armed Police Training Centre, Chumukedima to discuss CAB.
