ASU verifying non-locals' identity

Kohima, November 7: Concerned over the alarming influx of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Nepal into Nagaland, the Angami Students' Union (ASU) has been verifying the identity of non-local inhabitants in Kohima district.

ASU chairman for Coordination Committee on Non-Locals Neikho said here today that around 600 non-local persons, including government officials, businessmen and labourers, thronged the ASU office to get themselves identified and register since yesterday.

He also revealed that the ASU office was issuing its own identity cards for non-locals coming with the Inner Line Permit and accepting the Photostat identity card of government officials.

The non-local indigenous inhabitants were being exempted from the purview of the identification process, he added.

Mr Neikho said the process was being carried out to check influx of illegal immigrants as it has become a threat to the Nagas.

The ASU requested all the indigenous people and house owners in Kohima to forward the names of their non-local tenants within their area.

Declaring that a surprise check would be conducted after expiry of the identification date - November 25 - the ASU warned that action would be initiated against any non-local persons found without genuine identity.

UNI