In protest against new citizenship law, 22 BJP leaders join opposition NPF in Nagaland

Nagaland, which has the inner line permit (ILP) regime in place, doesn’t come under the purview of the CAA and the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP)-BJP alliance has been maintaining that the legislation would have no impact in the state.

Updated on: Feb 12, 2020, 21:41:21 IST

Hindustan Times, Guwahati | By Utpal Parashar

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Twenty two office bearers from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Nagaland joined the opposition Naga People’s Front (NPF) in protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at a function held in Dimapur on Tuesday.

The BJP leaders were welcomed to NPF by party’s president Shurhozelie Liezietsu. More leaders from the saffron party are expected to join the opposition camp in coming days, according to a NPF press statement. (Image used for representation). (PTI PHOTO.)

According to a NPF press statement issued on Wednesday, the BJP leaders were welcomed to NPF by party’s president Shurhozelie Liezietsu. More leaders from the saffron party are expected to join the opposition camp in coming days, it stated.

Nagaland, which has the inner line permit (ILP) regime in place, doesn’t come under the purview of the CAA and the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP)-BJP alliance has been maintaining that the legislation would have no impact in the state.

Under ILP provisions, all outsiders, both foreigners and Indians who are not residents of the particular state need to obtain a permit before entering it.

Addressing the event, Nagaland BJP’s minority unit president Mukibur Rahman stated that enactment of CAA was the prime reason for them to quit BJP and join NPF. He said that the CAA would lead to entry of illegal immigrants to the region and ILP provisions won’t be enough to stop them from entering Nagaland.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.