The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has expressed grave concern over the escalating crisis in Bangladesh, which has led to widespread unrest and, according to the NSF, poses a direct existential threat to the Naga homeland. The Federation claimed that “reports of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants already slipping into the state have surfaced,” warning that a mass exodus from Bangladesh could soon flood the region.
In a strongly worded statement, the NSF expressed frustration with the Nagaland government, highlighting that “despite having submitted several representations to the popular government of the day,” no decisive action has been taken. The NSF referred to its most recent communique, submitted on February 28, 2024, which called for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime across the districts of Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland.
In light of the government’s inaction, the NSF has now placed a demand for the ILP regime to be enforced within 14 days, warning that any delay would be seen as a “failure to protect the Naga people and an abdication of the government’s duty.”
The NSF also issued a stern warning to all Naga Political Groups, urging them not to interfere with the activities of its federating units and subordinate bodies as they work to defend the future of the people. “Any group or entity that has provided patronage or safe haven to non-locals must cease immediately,” the NSF demanded, adding that it is not a time for political maneuvering but a time to unite in the face of a common threat.
The NSF emphasized that the mass exodus from Bangladesh “will erode the very fabric of our identity, culture, and future” if not addressed immediately. They described the current situation as “nothing short of a demographic onslaught,” drawing parallels to past migrations during the partition of 1947 and the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, which, they said, caused irreversible demographic changes in the Northeast.
“Nagaland now stands at the edge of that same precipice, facing a surge of illegal immigrants that could permanently alter our cultural identity and sovereignty,” it said.
The NSF reiterated that this is not just a routine matter but “an existential threat.” According to the Federation, the “demographic shift we are witnessing is not merely a number on a chart; it represents the dilution of Naga culture, our way of life, and our future as an indigenous people.”
The organization also called for immediate action, particularly from its federating units and subordinate bodies, urging them to “rigorously monitor and curb any such inflow” of illegal immigrants. “Vigilance is no longer optional; it is a matter of survival,” the NSF stated, asking the Naga people to remain alert and report any suspicious activities.
The NSF reiterated that the Naga homeland must be safeguarded from illegal immigration at all costs. It reaffirmed to continue monitoring the situation closely, stating that they are prepared to take up any course of action if the government fails to implement Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime across the districts of Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland.