The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) held a candlelight vigil in protest against the CAB, 2019 at Khermahal junction in Dimapur on Friday evening.
The DNSU expressed solidarity with the neighbouring states which will be adversely affected by the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), 2019.
The CAB has become an Act as President Ram Nath Kovind gave the assent to the bill.
Also read: CAB becomes Act, gets President Kovind’s assent
Meanwhile, the state government directed all heads of offices/departments in Dimapur to ensure that the services of their officers and staff are promptly put at the disposal of the deputy commissioner as and when a requisition is made by him for carrying out the ILP exercise in the district.
The state government on December 10 extended to Dimapur district with immediate effect, bringing all 11 districts under the system.
Also read: WB, Punjab & Kerala CMs not to implement CAB
Dimapur district was earlier not covered by Inner Line Permit (ILP).
In a notification, chief secretary Temjen Toy said every non-indigenous person entering Dimapur district will be required to obtain an ILP in the same mode and manner required for entering other areas of Nagaland and under the same conditions provided in the government notification of May 3 last year.
He said every non-indigenous person, who settled or entered Dimapur district on or after November 21, 1979, when the area was constituted as “tribal belt”, will be required to obtain an ILP within 90 days.
Also read: Dimapur brought under ILP regime
The move assumes significance because provisions of the CAB would not apply to states having ILP and Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Of the seven northeastern states, only Meghalaya, Assam, and Tripura are now outside the purview of the permit system, which regulates the entry of “outsiders” under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.
The government on Friday said there was a likelihood of a large number of non-indigenous persons settled in Dimapur applying for obtaining ILPs and certificates, which needed to be examined, processed and disposed of in a time-bound manner.
In a notification, the home department said there could arise a need for utilising the services of additional manpower for assisting and helping the district administration of Dimapur so the whole process was carried out in a smooth and time-bound manner.
The government has authorised the deputy commissioner to requisition the services of the officers and staff of any of the state government offices/departments in the district for the exercise as and when the need arises.
