Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Kohima: The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) has formally opposed a proposed passenger train service connecting Moirabari in Assam to Dimapur in Nagaland. The student organization raised alarms about potential illegal immigration, demographic shifts, and the protection of indigenous rights in the state.
The proposal originated from a June 1 representation submitted to the Northeast Frontier Railway by Laharighat MLA Dr. Asif Md. Nazar. In a statement released on June 12, the federation questioned the necessity of this new connection, noting that existing rail infrastructure already links the two regions. The group demanded clarity on the project's purpose and whether stakeholders were consulted before the request was made.
The federation warned that Dimapur serves as the primary gateway to Nagaland and that increased connectivity without robust regulatory mechanisms could exacerbate existing migration concerns. The NSF emphasized that the state must prioritize the preservation of indigenous land rights and customs. The organization declared, "The federation stated that it would oppose any developmental initiative that it believes could adversely affect the security, identity and future of indigenous communities in Nagaland."
The group urged the Ministry of Railways and the Nagaland government to conduct thorough studies regarding the project's long-term demographic and socio-economic impact. They also called for transparency regarding the proposal's origins and expected public benefits. Currently, the railway project awaits further review and has not received final approval from transport authorities.
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