Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio faces heat over Citizenship Bill row

The row over Citizenship (Amendment) Bill has now spread to Nagaland with chief minister Neiphiu Rio facing opposition and civil society heat on the issue. The Naga People’s Front (NPF)

The row over Citizenship (Amendment) Bill has now spread to Nagaland with chief minister Neiphiu Rio facing opposition and civil society heat on the issue.

The Naga People’s Front (NPF) pointed out that Chief Minister Rio had stated that the PDA-led government in the state would not oppose the Bill, as the State of Nagaland is protected under Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India and Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873 of Inner Line Permit.

NPF also claimed that Chief Minister Rio took his cabinet to Delhi to meet Home Minister Rajnath Singh, wherein he assured that the bill would not be opposed. Slamming Rio’s stand the NPF demanded that the state government should oppose the Bill as Nagaland is vulnerable when it comes to inflow of illegal migrants.

The NPF added that the contentious Bill if passed would be disastrous for the state. The NPF warned the Neiphiu Rio-led PDA government to clear its stand on the bill.

Meanwhile, the Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) too reiterated that the passage of the contentious bill would threaten the existence of minority communities in the region.

The NTC slammed the Centre for ignoring the sentiments of the people of the region by passing the bill and also questioned the Neiphiu Rio-led government in the state for its alleged backing of the bill.

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