Nagaland government appeals to reconsider shutdown against Citizenship Bill

The Nagaland government on Sunday appealed to civil society organisations to reconsider the 10-hour statewide shutdown on Monday in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

The coordination committee of tribal hohos (associations), civil society organisations, various committees and mass-based organisations under the aegis of the Nagaland Gaon Burhas Federation (NGBF) said in a release that the strike has been called to protest the planned passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, in the Rajya Sabha.

The opposition Naga People's Front is supporting the dawn to dusk shutdown.

Appealing to the civil society organisations to reconsider the shutdown, Chief Secretary Temjem Toy said the government will propose the adoption of a resolution to oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the forthcoming Budget session scheduled to be held on February 21, as decided during the January 31 consultative meeting held in Dimapur.

The Nagaland cabinet on Monday rejected the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill which was passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8.

Chief Minister Neiphui Rio has said that the state government, which represents the will and desire of the people, remains opposed to the Bill.

The government also promised that it would leave no stone un-turned to constantly protect the rights and privileges of the people.

--IANS

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