Manipur People Bill will have no meaning when Citizenship Bill becomes Act: MPDF
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 12 2019:
Instead of calling all political party meeting on the Citizen Bill issue, the "visit to Delhi by CM led team to pressure for assent to Manipur People Bill" is a deviation from the right track and even if it gets the assent sought, the Manipur People Bill will not serve its true purpose when the Citizenship Bill clears the Parliament, said Manipur People's Democratic Front today.
The front in a statement today issued by its secretary Sapam Samungou Singh questioned if the Manipur People Bill will have any meaning when the Citizenship Amendment Bill becomes an Act.
Saying that the issue is most important, MPDF questioned why the State BJP and BJP led Government are not taking concrete actions opposing the Bill.
Taking notes of the resignation of the three Assam Gana Parishad Ministers condemning the Citizenship Bill and the stand of the Mizoram Chief Minister, MPDF questioned if the BJP led Government is not aware of development.
Why is the Chief Minister not taking a concrete and visible stand like that of Mizoram CM Zoramthanga against the Bill, asked MPDF.
Even though parties such as CPI, CPI (M), RSP, AIFB, AAP, TMC and Shiv Sena do not have MLAs in the State, all these parties have MPs in the Parliament.
The Chief Minister should consider calling an all political party meeting of the State to maximise the strength.
Political differences should be put aside when the Citizenship Bill is threatening the people, MPDF said.
"India is not federal in nature.
When the Constitution enforced an Article/Citizenship Bill, what will the BJP and its allies do to save the State?" asked MPDF ridiculing the pressure the BJP led Government is putting on the Centre to give assent to the Manipur People Bill brushing aside the core issue - Citizenship Bill.
Concerned with the police actions which injured at least four during protest at Khwairamband market, MPDF said that resorting to use of brute force against the students and civilians voicing their stand against the Citizenship Bill which threatened the indigenous population was uncalled for.
Such actions - use of tear gas and lathi charge on agitating students are not wise moves of the Government, it said.