Nagaland: Ex-CM TR Zeliang’s call to Nagas to thwart influx of IBIs

29 July 2018:

On the eve of the publication of complete draft of National Register of Citizens (NRC), former Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang urged all political parties, NGOs, tribal hohos, student organizations and village councils and individuals to come out in unison against the influx of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants (IBIs) into the state.

He said villages, bordering Assam, must be more vigilant and adopt measures to thwart any infiltration attempt by the IBIs.

“Advisories issued by the state’s Home Department on the matter are commendable. However, a one-time checking cannot bring forth any tangible result. The vulnerability and effectiveness of Inner Line Permit (ILP) is moreover a contentious subject and is not wholly reliable. Therefore, the state government must devise sustainable mechanisms by bringing an ordinance in the Assembly for regulation of a permanent system in the state. Furthermore, in order to avoid future complication within the non-local population in the state, the government should bring out clear-cut guidelines and carry out house to house enumeration for identification of non-locals who had entered the state before and after 1963,” Zeliang suggested.