NPF president Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu said the party has survived as its basic principle was deeply rooted in the unique history of Nagas. Addressing the party’s Central Executive Council (CEC) meeting here Thursday, Dr. Liezietsu asserted that NPF was the only regional political party that has survived against all odds for the last 56 years, adding it was the oldest regional political party of the Northeast and the second oldest in the country.
He claimed that the party has a declared policy that the problem in Nagaland is a political problem requiring political approach for its solution, a human problem that requires human approach. He said the stand of the party was to defend fundamental rights of the people of Nagaland. Exhorting party men, Dr. Liezietsu said though NPF had lost the last Assembly election by a very small margin, they should not regret as sometime “we have to admit our mistakes and accept defeat as our destiny”. He said the NDPP-BJP alliance did not have the magic figure and were ruling the State with the help of one JD (U), one independent and two NPP MLAs from a very shaky platform that could collapse any time.
He claimed though NPF was in the opposition, other parties had joined and that other regional parties from mainland also expressed desire to support it in any capacity. The veteran NPF leader also congratulated ADC member from Tamenlong, Manipur who won by a big margin in the by-election held on January 14.
Referring to the ensuing Aonglenden Assembly constituency by-poll and Lok Sabha elections, he reminded his party men that there was no place for complacency “but be ready to move out any time when necessary directives are issued by the central office in due course of time”.
In his address, NPF Legislature Party leader TR Zeliang stressed on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, reiterating that Inner Line Permit (ILP) was only related to providing access to outsiders for inward travel into North-eastern States and did not touch upon the subject of granting citizenship to a foreigner who had resided in India for a certain period of time, which would now be six years if the Bill was passed in Parliament.
He further pointed out that though ILP (Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873), also known as regulation 5 of 1873, was in operation in Nagaland, there was a huge difference between the CAB and ILP– “acquiring citizenship of a particular country and obtaining permission for access to a particular region”.
Mentioning that Dimapur was not under the ambit of ILP regulations, Zeliang said undocumented immigrants, especially illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, had flooded the district and even in the most interior parts of the State.
“Going by this reality, we cannot wholly rely on BEFR or IPL regulations and to say that ILP safeguards the people from the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is not acceptable,” he added. He further restated that Article 371 (A) was not connected with the Bill and that there was no mention of citizenship in the Article.
He feared that after the Bill was passed in Rajya Sabha and became an Act, the hope of using Article 371 (A) as ammunition to oppose the Act would be a futile exercise.
Further, Zeliang pointed out that rules and regulations for extraction and exploration of petroleum and natural gas framed by the Nagaland government, in line with Article 371 (A), was under litigation, adding even the High Court’s interim order had clearly mentioned that State did not have the power as it was delegated to Parliament under Union list 1 entry 53. He questioned how one could be so sure that Article 371 (A) would protect citizens of Nagaland from influx of immigrants who would be granted Indian citizenship once the citizenship Bill became an Act.
Zeliang said Neiphiu Rio’s cabinet had decided on June 5, 2018 and January 7 not to oppose the Bill. However, he pointed out that today it had suddenly taken a U-turn. He reminded the gathering that the Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha in July 2016 when Rio was MP representing Nagaland and passed when Tokheho Yepthomi of NDPP represented the State.
He said the consultative meeting convened by the PDA government on Thursday was an eyewash and termed it an “information meet and not consultative meet”, and questioned why the government was inviting people after everything was done that could not be undone now.
Zeliang also highlighted the initiatives taken by the NPF-led government regarding the Indo-Naga political issue, besides the various achievements in road sector.
Others who spoke on the occasion included Manipur minister L Dikho, party legislators Imkong L Imchen, Kuzholuzo Nienu, N Thongwang and Y Vikheho Swu and NPF vice-president Pusazo Luruo. The business session was led by Rajya Sabha member and party’s secretary general KG Kenye, while vote of thanks was proposed by legislator DR Chumben Murry.
The programme was chaired by NPF working president Apong Pongener, bible reading and prayer by party’s working president Dr Huskha Yepthomi and welcome address was delivered by CL John, MLA. The meeting was attended by NPF legislators from Nagaland, minister and MLAs from Manipur, party workers from various districts of Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
Resolutions adopted: Several resolutions were also adopted at the CEC meeting which was signed by the resolution committee convenor and NPF spokesperson, Achumbemo Kikon; MLAs– Yitachu, Toyang and Dr. Nganshi K. Ao and NPF youth wing president, N. Vihoshe Swu as members.
Among them, the NPF reiterated its stand against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and also resolved that the party Rajya Sabha MP, KG Kenye will vote against the Bill in the parliament in the event if the Bill is not withdrawn.
While upholding the decision of the core committee to boycott the January 31 consultative meeting, the NPF said the NDPP-led PDA government had no moral right to convene such meeting when it had not opposed the Bill while it was tabled in the Lok Sabha on January 8, clearly indicating that they had endorsed the Bill.
The consultative meeting was nothing but an eye wash and to shift the blame to political parties and civil societies, NPF stated. It also warned that PDA government would be held responsible for any fallout on the Nagas due to the CAB 2016.
The party also reiterated its commitment on the ongoing peace process between government of India and various Naga political groups.
It also appreciated the NSCN (K) led by Khango Konyak for joining the peace process and further urged all other groups to be part of the peace process.
On the other, the party questioned the Centre of failing to bring about a solution to the protracted Naga political issue till date despite making a “democratic commitment—Election for Solution” to the Naga people in the recently concluded elections.
The party further took umbrage to the statement made by R.N. Ravi while commenting to the Naga issue—“surrender or fight to the finish”. It said such comment was unbecoming of him as he had been assigned to find solution and not to create problem.
The party also endorsed its president and leader of the NPF legislature party to take a call on the political re-alignment. CEC also endorsed the president to constitute a committee to look into the bye-election for 26 Aonglenden A/C and also the forthcoming assembly and parliamentary elections in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur (LS polls).
On the occasion, NPF, based on the October 9 2018 resolution of the CEC formally released the amended Constitution of the party.
Meanwhile, CEC deeply condoled the demise of former union minister George Fernandes and recalled its association and fond memories while late Fernandes was active in politics.