In a press release issued on Wednesday, the NSF expressed profound concern and strong condemnation regarding the Nagaland state government’s inaction following the expiration of the 30 days for revoking the order suspending the Inner Line Permit (ILP). This order, issued on June 2, 2023, affected the former Dimapur, Chumoukedima, and Niuland districts, directly impacting the interests and cultural integrity of the Naga people, it said.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Naga Student’s Federation (NSF) on Wednesday said that it will boycott the ensuing Lok Sabha election in the state with a statewide bandh on the election day if the issues on their earlier demands are not met.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, the NSF expressed profound concern and strong condemnation regarding the Nagaland state government’s inaction following the expiration of the 30 days for revoking the order suspending the Inner Line Permit (ILP). This order, issued on June 2, 2023, affected the former Dimapur, Chumoukedima, and Niuland districts, directly impacting the interests and cultural integrity of the Naga people, it said.
The NSF also stated that in its previous representation to Nagaland’s chief secretary on February 28 this year, it articulated the need for immediate action to safeguard the indigenous population’s interests and uphold the cultural fabric of the Naga homeland.
Despite these pleas, the NSF said the state government has failed to take decisive measures to address its demands and reiterated the critical importance of stringent ILP enforcement across the state, emphasizing the establishment of monitoring cells at vital entry points, including Dimapur railway station, Dimapur airport, and all entry/exit points to Nagaland.
Additionally, the NSF emphasized the necessity for robust ILP enforcement in all district headquarters to protect the rights of indigenous inhabitants by citing that it is essential to emphasize that these demands are not mere requests but a resolute call to protect the very essence of the Naga homeland.
The NSF press statement also mentioned that the ILP system serves as a vital safeguard for indigenous inhabitants, requiring a government committed to honesty, transparency, and accountability.
With the expiration of the 30-day deadline, the NSF called upon all federating units to remain vigilant and prepare for any necessary course of action in response to the state government’s inaction.
Further, the federation appealed to all the stakeholders and the Naga public, in general, to kindly render their support and cooperation in this noble crusade to secure a definite future for the Naga people by stating that it reaffirms its unwavering commitment to advocating for the rights and interests of the Naga people and ensuring the preservation of our homeland’s integrity.
Meanwhile, when contacted, NSF president, Medovi Rhi, told this correspondent that the Nagaland government has made its failure in its commitment to the crucial subject which was reminded and placed before them for many days, weeks, months, and years through the medium of the print and electronic media, it has decided to go for a statewide bandh on April 19.
“Since the Nagaland government is not serious at all, the public has to go to the street with the support of the latter”, said Medovi while making it very clear that NSF’s motive is not against any individuals or citizens of India but is voicing against the inflow of the illegal immigrants in the state.
Attacking the state government for being serious on the issue, Medovi said that the NSF would exercise its own course of action by stating that it has the voice of more than 6 lakhs of student communities in the state backing them.
Lamenting that the 30-day deadline given to the Nagaland state government has already expired today (March 27), the NSF president lamented that though the federation has been working hard for the welfare of the student community as well as the Nagas in general, there were no any particular messages or call from the Nagas or others in support to the initiative taken up by the NSF.
Later, he disclosed that the federation might boycott the ensuing Lok Sabha election in Nagaland scheduled on April 19 by calling a statewide bandh if the state government is not serious about the issue.
“If the state government cannot hear the voice of the students and the youth, let us come to the street to address the problem”, added the NSF president while adding that the state government has miserably failed on their part towards the student communities.