The National People’s Party (NPP) Nagaland has welcomed the recent decision of the Mizoram Legislative Assembly to ban begging in public places and urged the Nagaland Government to follow suit by introducing a Nagaland Begging Prohibition & Rehabilitation Bill.

The proposed legislation, the party said, should seek to ban organized begging; prevent misuse by illegal immigrants; and provide care, rehabilitation, and vocational support for genuine local cases.

It also said that such a step would help in maintaining the dignity and safety of market places, traffic points and places of worship, while also safeguarding Nagaland from illegal activities, drug abuse, infiltration and exploitation linked to begging networks.

It further such a bill would restrict and discourage unwanted entrants exploiting the state’s easier connectivity through expanding railway lines.

In a statement, the NPP Nagaland said while cases of begging in Nagaland are currently very negligible, there is genuine concern that such practices could encourage illegal immigrants to exploit public sympathy and gradually pose social, demographic, and security challenges to the State.

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It mentioned that most persons indulging in begging in Nagaland are outsiders, and many are suspected to be involved in illegal activities such as petty theft, drug abuse, and even acting as carriers or informers for anti-social elements. Allowing such practices unchecked would pose serious risks to peace and security in the State, it said.

It said a proactive step now would help secure the borders and protect the interests of the  citizens.

“Nagaland must act proactively before the problem escalates, ensuring both law enforcement and social welfare are balanced in the interest of the people,” it concluded.