Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) in collaboration with Joint Committee on Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI) organized candlelight vigil at Khermahal Junction here Friday to express solidarity with the neighbouring states, which have been affected because of the new Citizenship law.
Hundreds of citizens turned up for the candlelight vigil holding placards some of which read “We stand with North East”, “We stand with Tripura”, “Citizenship amendment bill is unconstitutional” “We stand with Assam” etc.
Addressing the gathering, DNSU president Sedevilie Angami expressed gratitude to all who came forward to extend solidarity with toward the neighbouring states especially Assam and Tripura.
“We are all aware that the Bill which has been passed is unconstitutional and violates the very principle of Secularism and further endangers the rights and ethos of the Indigenous people of Northeast,” he said.
DNSU president asserted that though some of the North East states have been kept out of the ambit of Act i.e. states protected by ILP and areas covered under the Sixth Schedule of the constitution, “we cannot be certain and confident that this will not affect us.”
He alleged that the state government has also failed to strictly regulate and implement the existing laws all these years.
Also speaking at the protest event, Northeast Indigenous People Forum (NEIPF) joint secretary Tia Longchar stated that the people of North East states were united to protect their culture and land.
He said that the forum has been analyzing and discussing the situation, adding that it would raise voice soon in whatever possible ways. JCPI convenor Ghokheto Chophy, and former president of DNSU and NSF K Temjen Jamir also spoke at the vigil.