Nagaland NewsStudent bodies back NSF-NESO bandh call

Student bodies back NSF-NESO bandh call

Several student bodies of the state have come out in support of the January 8, 2019 bandh called by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), a constituent of North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), against Centre’s bid to pass the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the parliament.

In a press release, the High Power Committee (HPC) of Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) informed that the bandh would be enforced with its constituent units in Dimapur from 5am to 4pm.

HPC of the DNSU has appealed to all right thinking citizens to extend cooperation to the sudden bandh call. It also appealed to all the educational institutions and business establishments to remain shut for the day.

HPC said that bandh would be total in nature, however, the press, medical services, magistrate on duty, police, para military besides wedding attendees and officials of conventions/conferences on production of cards and programme copies. Travellers have been asked to posses tickets to avoid any inconveniences.

ASU: Angami Students’ Union (ASU) through its vice president Petekhrietuo Kiewhu-O and deputy speaker Teisovi Thorie said the union would impose the total bandh within its jurisdiction on January 8, 2019 from 5am to 4pm.

In this regard, the union has appealed to the government offices, schools, colleges and business establishment to remain closed. The union further appealed to the public under its jurisdiction to cooperate.

SKK: All Sumi Students’ Union (SKK), a constituent unit of NSF, has extended cooperation to NESO’s call for total bandh on January 8, 2019 from 5am to 4pm.

In a press release, SKK president Atokiho Sumi and general secretary Hutoshe Kits have appealed to the concerned civil society groups, business community and responsible citizens of Zunheboto district to cooperate and support the proposed bandh. 

SKK also informed that following would be exempted from the purview of the bandh: press and media, medical, administration, police, paramilitary, pre-engaged programmes like wedding, conventions and conferences (should possess card and programme copy) and students moving back to their places of study (should possess copy of tickets for their journey).

RSU: Rengma Students’ Union (RSU) has also announced imposition of total bandh under Tseminyu sub-division on January 8, 2019 from 5am to 4pm to show resentment against the Citizenship (Amendment) bill 2016.

In a press release, RSU president Kisheto Kent Rengma has appealed to all the civil society groups, business community and the general public to extend cooperation.

RSU has, however, exempted the following from the purview of the bandh: press and media, medical, administration, police, para military, pre-engaged programmes like wedding, conventions and conferences (possess card and programme copy) and students moving back to their places of study (possess copy of tickets for their journey).

DNSU: Diphupar Naga Students’ Union( DNSU) also announced imposition of the 11-hour bandh called on January 8, 2019 from 5 am to 4 pm along the NH 29 within the Diphupar jurisdiction.

DNSU stated that bandh would affect all regular movements of vehicles both private and government. All business establishments and institutions within the Diphupar jurisdiction have been asked to remain closed. However, the union said press, military, para-military, police and emergency services would be exempted from the purview of the bandh. Those attending any programme, conference or wedding have been requested to carry along with them necessary evidences to avoid any untoward actions. Further, DNSU has appealed the public to cooperate during the bandh.

JCPI extends support 

Asserting that it fully stood for the interest of indigenous people, especially in the Northeast, Joint Committee on Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI) has extended full support to the Northeast bandh called by North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) on Tuesday. 
In a statement by its media cell, the committee conveyed its appreciation to NESO on behalf of all Nagas for taking the lead to voice the opinion of the people of the Northeast, besides appreciating Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) for mobilising public support in Nagaland in favour of the bandh. Claiming that the recent announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to go ahead in introducing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, in Parliament had hurt the sentiments of the people of the region, the committee also expressed its shock at the Union Cabinet approving the controversial Bill on Monday despite being fully aware that the entire region was on the warpath. 
According to JCPI, this was nothing but contempt for the entire North-eastern region. It also expressed its shock at the indifferent attitude of the State government despite being fully aware of the impending threat on the indigenous population. 
The committee explained that for decades the entire Northeast had been the dumping ground for foreigners and illegal immigrants, changing its entire demographic structure. So when BJP promised to eradicate the menace of illegal immigration, there was a sense of hope and elation, it added.
However, the committee pointed out that the double-speak of the BJP government had shocked even its most ardent supporters in the region as, instead of tackling illegal immigration, it was prepared to flood the region with “non-indigenous” population on the basis of religion that was, according to it, against the secular fabric of the country. 
“This is a serious offence against the region because such a diabolical policy will guarantee the demise of indigenous communities in the region in the years to come,” the statement pointed out. 
JCPI was formed in the backdrop of the proposed passage of the Bill and update of National Register of Citizens in Assam. It is a conglomeration of Naga civil society organisations tasked with pursuing the State government for formulation of policies and measures to protect the State from illegal immigrants/immigrations. 

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