Opposition NPF has decided to move a resolution against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 during the fifth session of the 13th Nagaland Assembly, scheduled to begin from February 7.
Talking to media persons here, newly-appointed NPF secretary general Achumbemo Kikon said the party during, a consultative meeting of the NPF legislature wing and party officials held in the residence of party president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu on Saturday, decided to let the legislators take up the CAA issue.
The MLAs would put up a fierce argument during the ensuing Assembly session and would move a resolution for “withdrawal or rolling back” CAA, he said adding that the party workers will also hold protests against CAA during the Assembly session.
Reiterating his party’s stand, he said the Act was discriminatory because it was based purely on religion, pointing out the NPF had always stood against any policy that discriminated religion. He said the Act had already divided the people, with even European Parliament taking cognisance as it was dividing the people on religious lines.
On the alleged controversial comment of deputy chief minister Y Patton, Achumbemo remarked that a man of his stature was not expected to make such comments though the former had clarified that his statement during the LSU conference was “twisted misrepresented”.
“Patton must realise that being a deputy CM whatever he speaks matters and therefore should be careful and not say anything detrimental for the society,” he said.
Noting that the deputy chief minister had personally clarified on the matter, he hoped that the clarification was genuine.
Kenye misled Pfoze, says Kikon: On the reason for sparing NPF Lok Sabha member Lorho S Pfoze, while Rajya Sabha member KG Kenye was suspended, Kikon explained that Pfoze had clarified that he was constantly in touch with Kenye as he was made to understand that Kenye was in touch with NPF president over the contentious Bill.
He said Pfoze was misled because after Kenye gave an interview to Rajya Sabha TV supporting CAA, , which was also circulated widely, the NPF president had advised Kenye through telephone call not to participate in the voting as it defied the party resolution.
Kikon claimed that Pfoze had also expressed regret in his reply “if his action has caused misunderstanding and breach in the principles, decisions and discipline of the party” and tendered an apology.
Considering all these, Kikon said the yardstick and degree of punishment meted out to Kenye could not be applied to the Pfoze. He however said a stern warning was given to Pfoze, while asserting that the decision taken by DAC was fair and just. He added that NPF could not take cognisance of voluntary resignation as punishment, which Kenye had done during a press conference.