PDA backtracking from its earlier decision not to oppose Citizenship Amendment Bill : NPF
Source: NPF Press Bureau *

Kohima , January 29 2019: The Naga People's Front has expressed its amusement at the latest decision of the PDA Government Cabinet that witnessed backtracking from its earlier decision not to oppose the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 .

While appreciating the PDA Government for heeding the cries of the people, yet the sudden U turn of the PDA government clearly indicates that something is amiss, as it was only a few days ago the PDA is stone hard on their earlier decision made on 5th January 2019 not to oppose the Bill.

The PDA government's decision to reject the bill all of a sudden is a welcoming step but as to what has prompted them to retract all its big utterances made in the past few days citing Article 371 A and ILP as a blanket shield for the entire Nagas.

No wonder, despite assuring the BJP Central leader that the NDPP and its ally will not oppose the CAB and considering the Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio himself was a strong supporter of the CAB which even the whole world is aware of his commitment not to oppose the Bill that was announced to the world media on 12th June 2018 .

The NPF questioned whether the Government has firmly taken the decision for real implementation in opposing the Bill or is trying to play another musical chair to the Nagas as a temporary relief measure for the time being.

Lauding the latest step taken by the PDA government to reject the Bill, the NPF asked whether the government of the day will again backstep the call of the Naga people in the near future.

The NPF looks on with amazement at the wavering and indecisiveness of the PDA Government which has at one point of time in its cabinet meeting earlier on January 7, 2019 appealed the Centre to review the CAB ,and again calling for consultative meeting with all the tribal hohos, civil societies, NGOs, political parties and all stakeholders, only goes on to show their incapability to take the Naga people for healthier growth.

The NPF wonders, if the PDA Government has ever truly cared for the posterity of the Nagas and against the CAB, why is the need for the PDA Government to hold a consultative when the whole Naga populace is against the enforcement of the Bill or the spin doctors of the PDA leaders have certain motive to impress the Naga people and retain their chairs.

The PDA Government must realize from the outcome of the public attendance on the Republic Day, where a handful of Government officials attended and hence is a clear indication that the Naga people is totally denouncing the Bill.

To top it all, the NPDD led PDA Government that was so vocal not to oppose the CAB stating that Article 371 (A) and the ILP gives sufficient protection to the Naga people , yet, on seeing the reactions of the public and the with series of agitations and opposition from all corners , the PDA cabinet decided to backtrack from their original stand is nothing short of betraying the Nagas .

Nevertheless, this is a clear indication that the U-turn of the state government decision categorically proved once and for all that Article 371 (A) and ILP cannot shield us from the onslaught of Citizenship Amendment Bill.

Now, the big question that NPF would like to pose to the PDA government is, "Since its Cabinet has decided to reject the Bill now, will their PDA Lok Sabha MP, Tokheho Yepthomi who has already voted in favor of the Bill on 8th January 2019 withdraw his vote as the government has decided yet again to reject the Bill?" If not, it will be the greatest betrayal in the Naga political history.

As, for the NPF Rajya Sabha MP it will outrightly oppose the Bill in the upper house.

The NPF expect that the present PDA Government will stay committed to their decision and work for the upliftment and welfare of the Naga society.

* The sender of this news can be contacted at npfpressbureau(AT)rediffmail(DOT)com .

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