The uproar over the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2016 shows no sign of receding with more civil society groups now joining the bandwagon.
A consultative meeting held at Saramati here on Wednesday under the aegis of Nagaland GB Federation (NGBF) and attended by leaders of apex civil bodies, tribal hohos and civil society groups strongly opposed the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) and decided to submit a representation to Government of India through Governor PB Acharya on February 8 in this regard.
A public march will be carried out from Old MLA Junction point to Raj Bhavan for submission of the memorandum through the Governor to President of India Ram Nath Kovind urging him to withhold his assent if CAB was passed by Rajya Sabha.
The house also resolved to submit a memorandum on the same day seeking a solution to the Indo-Naga political issue before the Lok Sabha elections. It also decided to set up a co-ordination committee to take up the issue further.
The organisations further appealed to NNPGs and NSCN to sign MoU for early resolution of the Indo-Naga political problem. This was stated in a press release by NGBF.
Meanwhile, the Joint Committee on Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI) has announced its full support to the call by NGBF for a gathering at Kohima on February 8 at 11 a.m. for a public march from Old MLA Junction point to Raj Bhavan for submission of the memorandum.
The memorandum would also appeal to the President to give his assent in case an ordinance was passed by the Central cabinet bypassing Rajya Sabha, JCPI stated in a press note.
And in order to ensure huge participation in the proposed public march, JCPI has urged Angami, Ao, Sumi, Lotha and Chakhesang tribes in Dimapur to send 15 representatives each, and the remaining other tribes to send 10 representatives each.
All presidents of respective Dimapur-based tribal bodies under Naga Council have also been asked to submit names of their representatives to the council Office on Thursday so that transportation arrangements could be made.
Stating that Gaon Buras were guardians of “our society”, the joint committee also lauded the NGBF for taking the burden of addressing two burning issues – CAB and Naga political issue – at this critical juncture.