NPF president Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu has called upon the people to know the “true colour” of Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 and its long-term perspective.
Speaking at the NPF Kohima division leadership conference at party’s central office in Kohima on Friday, Liezietsu said many convincing points might have been highlighted by leaders supporting the Act like exemption of ILP States, including Nagaland, and Sixth Schedule areas from its purview. He remarked that it all might sound good but were actually cover-ups for the real motive of the Act, warning that its effect would be slowly visible through “population politics”.
He warned that CAA could threaten the very existence of the people of Northeast unless they took a bold stand against it.
The NPF president also reiterated that his party would always stand in support of secularism, cautioning that CAA would destroy the very fabric of secularism in India.
He claimed that NPF identified itself with the Naga people and Naga nationalism, adding it could be considered as guardian of the Naga people.
He pointed out that many political parties came into being in the State claiming to be Naga regional parties, but all perished as none of them had the roots like NPF. Many formed the party only to contest the election without any aim and objective or commitment to work for the true cause of the Naga people, he alleged.
He also did not rule out that NDPP might one day disappear just like other regional political parties.
Liezietsu stressed that every NPF worker should remain firmly with the principles of the party and be committed to work for the welfare of Naga people.
Speaking on the occasion, former MLA Kropol Vitsu called upon party leaders to remain firm with the party’s ideology and principles, and not to bargain integrity for some “package” or get carried away by false proposition.
Expounding the threats posed by CAA, he said once an illegal immigrant obtained Indian citizenship from another States and came to Nagaland with proper valid documents like ILP, he could not be denied entry to “our State”. And thus such immigrants would come in thousands, he warned.
NPF leader Dr Tseilhoutuo Rhütso, who too was present at the programme, urged party leaders to retrospect and contribute despite being in the opposition.
“Though we are in opposition, every leader must try and give his best so that we will bear the fruit together one day,” he stressed.
Kohima CEC member Medoselhou Keretsü, who also spoke on the occasion, stressed the importance of knowing the genesis of the party, besides carrying forward the principles and footprints of its visionary leaders so that the party could see light of the day again.
The programme was chaired by Kruzakie Kelio, vice president COB (Admn) and invocation prayer uttered by Kohima division treasurer Suosahie, while presidential address was delivered by Kohima division president Neisakuolie Rutsa and vote of thanks by Kohima division general secretary Meyieho Hibo.