Minutely study Citizenship Amendment Bill: Cong to CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 27 2018: Ex-Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has said that the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 is a very sensitive topic and as such, it needs to be minutely scrutinised and analysed before being passed.

He made the statement during the observation of the 54th Death Anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru at Congress Bhawan, BT road, under the aegis of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) today.

Speaking to media persons, Ibobi that the Bill should be passed only after proper research and added that experts need to discuss the possible impacts of the Bill on the North East region, specially Manipur.

He continued that the leaders need to properly ascertain whether the Bill will harm any community and added that if the Chief Minister has ample knowledge about the said Bill and if he thinks that the Bill will not affect Manipur in any way, then he may back the said Bill.

However, as there is rampant apprehension that the Bill might favour the interest of some particular communities, the authority concerned need to properly analyse the Bill at the earliest, the ex-CM added.

Claiming that the Congress party believes in secularism and respect for one another, Ibobi urged all those concerned not to implement divide and rule policy based on community line.

Meitei, Naga, Kuki, Muslim who are residing in the State are all brothers and sisters, he added.

Ibobi informed that the Congress party will organise a State wide protest against the Bill on May 30 and on that day, Congress workers at various Blocks and districts will organise discussions on the possible impacts of the Bill.

On the other hand, he said that the schemes proudly claimed by the NDA Government, were all conceived during the time of the Congress Government.

Cleanliness drives were organised on October 2 every year but the BJP copied the theme and introduced Swacch Bharat.

Various initiatives like Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission, Solid Waste Management programmes etc were also given new names and included in Smart City programme.

But there is no sign showing where the Smart City initiative is being done or even what are being done under the Smart City programme, Ibobi claimed.

All the schemes introduced by the Congress were all copied and given new names by the BJP, the ex-CM claimed.

People paid floral tributes to the statue of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as a part of the function.

MPCC president TN Haokip, Congress leaders, MPs, MLAs and office bearers were also present at the event.

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