KOHIMA: Following pressure from various tribal organisations and students bodies, Nagaland cabinet on Monday rejected the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 which was passed in the Lok Sabha earlier this month.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Chief Secretary Temjem Toy said the Cabinet discussed the Bill at length.
It took into account the will and desire of all sections of the people of the state who expressed their opposition and resentment to the Bill in various forms in a democratic manner.
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The cabinet clarified that the state government, which represents the will and desire of the people, remains opposed and rejects the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016.
NDPP, a coalition partner of the BJP in Nagaland, headed by Chief Minister Neiphui Rio also assured that the National Democratic People’s Party-led People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government would leave no stone un-turned to constantly protect the rights and privileges of the people and continue to undertake measures to further strengthen safeguards of the people.
Referring to Article 371(A) of the Constitution, the NDPP in a statement on Thursday said, “The said article begins with the words “notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, no Act of Parliament in respect of…”, which itself means that despite what is in the Constitution, no Act of Parliament shall apply to the State of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides.”
With agency inputs