Influx issue dominates Nagaland assembly

Kohima, Mar 16 : Congress members today drew the government's attention to the unabated influx of suspected Bangladeshis in the state, particularly in Dimapur areas, and demanded effective measures to contain the problem. Raising the issue during the debate on governor's address, Congress members took exception to the government's alleged inaction over the increasing threat posed by unabated influx by leaving the matter to NGOs to control the problem.

Congress legislator Apok Jamir said that the on-going "invasion" by such migrants had threatened the demographic profile of the state. Stating that the migrant population will reduce the Nagas into minority in the state, senior Congress member Chingwang Konyak asked why the government left such a serious matter of controlling influx to Naga Council Dimapur which had already started identifying and issuing identity cards to migrant population in the commercial town. Referring to the present law and order situation, NPCC President Imtisungit Jamir said if the state government could not control crime, then the task should be handed over to the governor as there is such a special provision in the Constitution.

He said under Clause B of the Article 371-A, the governor is empowered to look after the law and order of the state. He criticized the political parties which disowned the 16-point agreement of 1960 which led to the formation of Nagaland saying that being elected members of the assembly they had responsibility towards finding a permanent solution to the vexed Naga political problem, instead of leaving the matter to underground groups only. He suggested that the Joint Legislators Forum (JLF), formed by the Speaker, should be strengthened so that a consensus could be built among the members on Naga political issue.