Nagaland Leader of Opposition TR Zeliang has stated that Naga people are not protected unless a particular word like ‘exemption’ or ‘exempted’ is incorporated as a Special Clause in the final draft of the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) before passing it in Parliament.
According to a release, speaking at a meeting with union home minister Amit Shah on the issue of CAB at New Delhi on consultation with political parties from the Nagaland in New Delhi on December 3, Zeliang appreciated Shah’s October declaration that a Special Clause would be incorporated in the CAB in order to protect the interest of Northeast states.
He said that provision of Article 371(A) and the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873 or Inner Line Permit (ILP) cannot stop a person, particularly Illegal Bangladesh Immigrants, from acquiring Indian Citizenship anywhere in India.
It is without doubt that there are many undocumented illegal Immigrants who are living in Northeast states without proper documents including Nagaland, he said adding, these undocumented illegal immigrants who have entered Northeast states like Nagaland on or before December 31, 2014 and have been living without being noticed by the state will eventually become Indian citizens if the CAB is implemented.
Zeliang said despite the existence of provisions like ILP checking system the Naga people are not protected unless a particular word like ‘Exemption’ or ‘Exempted’ is incorporated as a special clause in the final draft of the contentious Bill before passing the same in both the houses of parliament.
Zeliang reminded Shah about his declaration at Aizawl on October 5 that a special clause would be incorporated in the CAB in order to protect the interest of Northeast states inclusive of Nagaland is seen as a ray of hope.
“In the midst of turmoil and confusion, directly or indirectly created by the emergence of CAB, your recent announcement is seen as a genuine approach to safeguard the rights and identity of the indigenous people from the CAB,” he stated.
In line with the positive announcement in Mizoram, Zeliang urged the union home minister to do justice to the cries of the Naga people by exempting Nagaland from coming under the purview of CAB.
He also hoped that Shah would apply his wisdom and do justice to his appeal for exemption of Nagaland from CAB, the release said.
