On PIL filed in Supreme Court against extending ILP coverage to Dimapur

Kohima, 27th June 2019

NPCC is seriously concerned about the PIL filed in Supreme Court against extending ILP coverage to Dimapur district by one BJP leader called Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. Though state BJP President Temjen Imna has feigned ignorance about this person called Ashwini Upadhyay who is also an Advocate in Supreme Court, his verified profile especially on twitter handle and his constant PIL activism on record proves his existence as BJP leader.

This PIL could not have been filed without the knowledge of BJP or without the instigation of some elements living and prospering in Nagaland. BJP has so far been successful in engineering social divisions and dividing country to consolidate their vote bank and come to power.

In hindsight, the tearing hurry of NDPP and BJP coalition government to apply ILP in Dimapur without proper application of mind is also responsible. The state government surely has the power to enforce ILP in Dimapur district. However, the fundamental rights of those existing bonafide settlers cannot be denied nor can the threat to indigenous Naga tribes due to huge influx of illegal migrants be overlooked in this given situation.

This PIL has now triggered serious disturbances in the mind of people living in Nagaland creating deep fault lines among various communities co existing peacefully for decades. It has also added more fuel to CAB threat even to the extent of having serious ramifications on the Indo Naga Political Peace talks. Anticipating the complication in application of ILP, Congress has drawn the attention of public on various public platforms during recently concluded LS election campaign, unfortunately, the attention of the state governments was never there.

PDA Government must always remember that the constitutional safeguards and other provisions enjoyed by Nagaland state is the result of heavy political price paid by the people. Therefore, Congress will in no case tolerate any demeaning of Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act of 1873 or putting Article 371 A under Judicial review since these are borne out of Political Agreements.

If BJP Nagaland is really concerned about the interest of Nagas and all other bonafide settlers in Nagaland, it must ensure withdrawal of PIL filed by one of its party leader in Supreme Court. Simply denying the BJP connection of Ashwini Upadhyay will not wish away the troubles ahead for our people if these PILs allow the judiciary a chance to negate our rights and safeguards bestowed by the Indian constitution.

In the event of an unforeseen situation that goes against the interest of the indigenous people in Nagaland, the state BJP and NDPP will be held fully responsible for their complicity and subservience to BJP high command in Delhi.


Issued by:- Communication Department, NPCC