DIMAPUR, Jan 30 - The Nagaland Government today invited all political parties, tribal hohos and NGOs of the State to a consultative meeting at the Nagaland Armed Police Training Centre, Chumukedima, slated on Thursday, to discuss the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 (CAB).
Backtracking from its decision taken on January 18 to appeal to the Centre to review the Bill before its final passage in the Parliament, the State Cabinet at a meeting on January 28 rejected the Bill.
The State Home Department, in a circular on Wednesday, requested all the political parties of the State to depute their senior functionaries to the meeting.
The other invitees included presidents of Naga Hoho, Eastern Nagaland People�s Organisation, Angami Public Organisation, Ao Senden, Chakhesang Public Organisation, Chang Khulei Setsang, Konyak Union, Khiamniungan Tribal Council, Phom People Council, Pochury Hoho, Rengma Hoho, Sumi Hoho, United Sangtam Likhum Pumji, Yimchunger Tribal Council, Zeliang Peoples Organisation, Naga Mothers� Association, Naga Students Federation, Eastern Nagaland Students Federation, Nagaland Gaonbura Federation, the Dimapur unit of Central Nagaland Tribes Council and Nagaland University Teachers Association, Kohima, and the chairman of Lotha Hoho.
The Nagaland Cabinet at a meeting on January 7 decided to hold the consultative meeting of all sections, including tribal hohos, NGOs, civil societies, political parties, prominent citizens and all stakeholders, to form a consensus so that the stand and approach of the State Government on the Bill would reflect the will and desire of the people.
The State Government has appealed to all sections to positively participate in the consultations and offer views and suggestions in the greater interest of the people of the State. However, the Opposition Naga People�s Front has questioned the State Cabinet�s need to hold the consultative meeting when it is clear that the whole Naga populace is against the Bill.
