The Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Saturday cautioned the Nagaland government that the process of bringing back the stranded people of the state may lead to a potentially disastrous situation if it is done in a haphazard manner.
Welcoming the decision of the government to bring back the stranded people, the party said the government should be cautious enough while differentiating the stranded people returning to the state.
It urged the state government to exercise utmost caution as influx of illegal immigrants and new migrants is a distinct possibility, especially considering that Nagaland is categorized under green zone and opportunists may seek to take advantage.
The Opposition party stressed that stringent and detailed verification of documents should be undertaken before entry of the stranded people into the state, particularly in the case non-Naga indigenous persons. It said there is high possibility that many illegal immigrants, under the guise of residing in Nagaland, may claim their right to return without proper and valid documents.
“This may lead to population explosion as well as the thread of spreading the dreaded pandemic in our state,” said the statement issued issued by the press bureau of NPF.
It suggested, as a remedial measure, renewal of expired inner line permit of non-indigenous people who are stranded outside the state and desire to re-enter the state should not be entertained till such time the entire country is considered a green zone or a similar solution arrives .
The whole process of screening and isolating each new entrant into the state, quarantine and testing of suspected persons must not be compromised at any cost, the party said.
The party also reminded the government of its appeal to pay heed to the price rise of the essential commodities. Instead of paying more attention to the generation of revenue, the government’s priority should be the welfare of its people, it said.