NSF public rally at Dimapur on Friday. Photo: Bhadra Gogoi

In its third phase of initiative against inner-line permit (ILP) defaulters and influx of illegal immigrants into Nagaland, the Naga Students Federation (NSF) on Friday organised a public rally here to demand inclusion of Dimapur district under the purview of ILP.

On August 24, the NSF, along with its federating units, organised a similar rally, as its second phase of initiative, in Kohima to protest against influx of illegal immigrants into the state and also to demand inclusion of Dimapur district under ILP system. In the first phase, the NSF, along with the Angami Students Union, jointly conducted massive verification of ILP in Kohima on August 8.

The rally here on Friday failed to draw a big gathering even as countable number of students and members of public, braving the scorching heat, attended it.

Speaking at the rally, NSF president Christopher Ltu said the state government requires political will to include Dimapur district under the purview of ILP.

He expressed serious concern over random issuance of ILPs and improper check for ILPs in the check gates in the state. He demanded that the state government properly monitor the ILP holders in the state.

According to Christopher, there are middlemen at work to get ILPs for the outsiders. He asked the students to be watchdog of these middlemen to curb the menace of illegal immigrants.

While welcoming all genuine Indian citizens, the NSF president appealed to the village headmen and chairmen not to issue indigenous certificates to the outsiders without verifying their antecedents. He also appealed to the elders not to hijack the future of the young Naga generation.

Observing that the people with questionable identities are indulging in the anti-social activities in Dimapur, Christopher wanted that all underground groups in Nagaland issue strict order to their rank and file not to use the services of the illegal immigrants.

He also appealed to the Naga students to change their mindset and develop work culture.

“If our economy is controlled by others, our future will also be controlled by them,” he cautioned. “Let’s toil and work hard,” he stressed.

Naga Council president Ghoseto Chophy and convenor of Dimapur Naga Students Union’s high-power committee Temjen Jamir also spoke at the rally, demanding a check on influx of illegal immigrants and inclusion of Dimapur district under ILP system.

The Nagaland government had set up a committee headed by commissioner and secretary to the chief minister, Abhishek Singh, to prepare a comprehensive action plan and mechanisms to streamline ILP and to effectively curb illegal immigrants and also to bring out a strong policy to safeguard the rights and security of indigenous inhabitants of the state as a consequence of the ongoing NRC drive in Assam.

The committee was formed on August 18 during a meeting of the Joint Committee on Prevention of Illegal Immigrants with the senior state government officials in Kohima. The committee was asked to give an interim report within 15 days.

Bhadra Gogoi is Northeast Now Correspondent in Nagaland. He can be reached at: [email protected]

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