Nagaland urge Center to re-examine Citizenship Bill amid growing protest

The Nagaland government on Monday decided to urge the Centre to re-examine and review the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 in the wake of the growing protests against it. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio which deliberated on the controversial Citizenship Bill.

"The Cabinet has resolved to request the Centre to re-examine and review the Bill to ensure that it is in consonance with the provisions of the Constitution and the existing practices of the Nagas," an official statement said.

"Taking into consideration the various imbalances that may emerge and to ensure that peace and tranquillity continues in the state and to ensure the sanctity of all previous regulations such as the Inner Line Permit and the rights of the Nagas as provided in Article 371 (A) of the Constitution, the issue requires further review," the statement added.

The Cabinet has decided that a meeting of all political parties in the State be convened to examine the controversial the Bill in its entirety. The Cabinet also resolved to propose adoption of a resolution reaffirming all provisions of Article 371 (A) and to strengthen the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) as per Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, (BEFR) of 1873 in the next session of the Nagaland Assembly.

On the political issue, the Cabinet decided that a Joint Legislators Forum comprising all 60 members of the Nagaland Assembly be urged to collectively urge New Delhi to expedite the peace process for a final settlement "that is honourable, inclusive and acceptable to the Nagas".

(With inputs from agencies.)