The Naga civil society organisations have come together to form a joint committee on prevention of illegal immigration following publication of final draft National Register of Citizens in Assam on July 30.
The committee has been formed to evolve logistics coordination and assist the state government in formulating standard operating procedure for effective implementation of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BERF) Act, 1873, under which there is provision for inner-line permit (ILP). This was decided at a meeting convened by the Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) here on Wednesday.
According to a release issued by NTC on Thursday, the meeting was attended by representatives of 29 civil society organisations of the state including student bodies. The committee will have one member from each of the civil society organisation that participated in the meeting.
The meeting resolved to urge the state government to gear up its entire machinery and bring out a comprehensive action plan to check illegal immigrants without wasting any more time. It was also decided to urge the government to extend BEFR Act, 1873 coverage in the entire state besides bringing out a comprehensive mechanism to regulate and monitor the Act and Indian Passport Act in letter and spirit with competent standard operating procedures in place for effective checking and deportation of illegal immigrants.
The state government was further requested to create a separate cell under the home department to monitor strict enforcement of BEFR Act, 1873, Foreigners Act and Indian Passport Act on a day-to-day basis.
The organisations felt the need for reorienting and equipping the government agencies, including Nagaland police, with legal aspects for effective enforcement of the existing laws to the desired level.
The meeting also conveyed its solidarity with the citizens of Assam in regard to publication of the final draft NRC.
It was also resolved to urge villages and urban colonies in Dimapur district in particular and in all vulnerable areas to maintain strict vigil in their respective jurisdiction round the clock. The meeting further urged the village authorities not to issue resident certificate or permanent resident certificate to anyone randomly without ascertaining antecedents of any such applicant.
The meeting further urged the respective apex tribal bodies, village councils and gaon burhas to closely monitor, supervise and effectively check illegal inhabitants and illegal entries into their villages and colonies.
Meanwhile, the Naga Students Federation and the Angami Students Union jointly conducted verification of ILPs in Kohima on Wednesday to segregate genuine Indian citizens from illegal immigrants.
NSF president Christopher Kesosul Ltu said the exercise was part of the first phase of its initiative to prevent influx of illegal immigrants into Nagaland. He said 17 persons were found without ILP, 18 persons with expired ILP and nine persons were sent back from Dimapur for not having documents.