DIMAPUR, Jan 13 - A rights body in Nagaland on Saturday cautioned the Nagas against over-dependence on Article 371 (A) and said taking refuge under it will only spell doom for the Nagas in future unless the privileges and patronage the State enjoys is acted upon in deeds.
Article 371 (A) in the Constitution is a special provision granted to Nagaland to safeguard the Naga customary law, social practice and belief and resources of the State.
The Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) on Saturday issued the statement in the backdrop of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 passed by the Lok Sabha on January 8. It urged all Nagas to prevent minimum damages following the Bill, �even as we continue to democratically and jointly express our resentment�.
It further appealed to the Nagaland Government to immediately enforce the Eastern Bengal Frontier Regulation 1873 in the entire State.
During an executive council meeting on Friday, the forum urged the State Government to issue an official memorandum enforcing Inner Line Permit (ILP) in all the districts of the State immediately.
�The State of Nagaland Act 1962, Section 26, which came into effect from December 1, 1963, clearly states that all laws enforced will continue to be enforced in the State of Nagaland till repealed or modified,� the release said.
It noted that the Bengal Frontier Regulation 1873, which is only applicable in Nagaland, should be strictly enforced, under which regulation ILP is issued and enforced in the Naga Hills since that time.
�The regulation has become even more necessary to be enforced across Nagaland and not only in Dimapur in the backdrop of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. The ILP will identify foreigners especially the illegal immigrants, illegal foreigners and refugees from the indigenous Nagas,� it said.
