Nagaland deploys troops to check immigrant influx

The Nagaland government was deploying additional forces along the border with Assam as a preventive measure to thwart a possible influx of illegal immigrants after the final draft of NRC is published on July 30, official sources said.

The state government has also decided to form special task forces (STFs) in every district to "prevent lynching", according to a bulletin.

Home and Police Departments under the chairmanship of Nagaland Chief Secretary Temjen Toy held a meeting yesterday to decide on the preventive measures to be adopted, the state government said in the bulletin.

The state police was deploying additional forces including units of the India Reserve Battalion (IRB) along the Nagaland-Assam border, they said.

The Centre has already sent over 22,000 central paramilitary troops in order to beef up security in Assam and adjoining states in view of the publication of the final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

"The state government is also writing to village councils to remain vigilant and not allow the illegal immigrants to enter their jurisdictions or employ them in any manner," the bulletin said.

The deputy commissioners have also been instructed to take appropriate measures and issue necessary advisories to house owners to verify the identity of tenants from the authorities concerned and not let out their premises to doubtful and suspicious people, the bulletin said.

Several areas of Assam such as Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Uriamghat and Karbi Anglong are located on the Assam-Nagaland border.

"All the districts will have Special Task Forces under their respective Superintendents of Police to prevent lynching," the bulletin said.

The Centre has also asked the governments of Assam and neighbouring states to ensure peace and maintain law and order following the publication of the NRC final draft.

The NRC part draft was published on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1, wherein the names of 1.9 crore of the 3.29 crore applicants were incorporated.

On July 30, the NRC will be published.

Meanwhile, the apex students' body in the state - Naga Students Federation (NSF) -- has appealed the general public not to entertain illegal immigrants and also asked the Nagaland government to place strict mechanism to monitor the entry and exit of people.

In a release, the NSF said with the publication of the final draft of the NRC, it is being viewed that "massive migration of illegal immigrants is bound to happen if the state government does not take necessary measures to monitor their flow".

It claimed the final draft of the NRC poses the biggest demographic threat to the Assam's neighbouring states, particularly Nagaland.

Saying that the NSF would conduct spot verification in the entry and exit points of the state, the students' body further urged everyone to remain vigilant and monitor the situation closely.