Home Ministry replies to MANPAC on CAA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 16 2020: A year after MANPAC (Manipur People Against Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016) submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through Governor Najma Heptulla, the Home Ministry has written a reply to the organisation stating the Bill which has become an Act will not be implemented in Manipur as Inner Line Permit System under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 is enforced in the State.

A statement issued by MANPAC's convenor Yumnamcha Dilipkumar today said the reply, dated September 27 signed by Ashutosh Anand, Under Secretary, Foreign Division (Citizenship Wing), Ministry of Home Affairs, was received by the MANPAC yesterday.

The Home Ministry's reply, according to MANPAC, mentioned that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was passed by the Parliament in December 2019 and the Act (CAA) was enforced from January 10, 2020 by a notification on December 12, 2019 .

According to the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act), 2019 Section 6B, the Act is not applicable in the Sixth Scheduled tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura.

The Act is not applicable in States where Inner Line Permit (ILP) is enforced under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 .

Further, the Home Ministry has informed that the Supreme Court is hearing cases challenging the CAA, said MANPAC.

MANPAC stated that it had submitted the memorandum on August 9, 2019 following the introduction of the Bill (CAB) in the Parliament and formation of the NEFIP (North East Forum For Indigenous People) .

MANPAC along with people of the State had started raising voices against the Bill in December 2018 and subsequently it had launched the 'NE Mission for Reconciliation' on February 27, 2019 .

The mission visited North-East States of Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland and formed NEFIP with its headquarters at Shillong.

In a meeting of the NEFIP, the constituent organisations of each State had decided to submit memoranda to the Prime Minister against the CAB/CAA, said MANPAC.

While appreciating the Government of India for replying to the memorandum it had submitted, MANPAC however emphasised that it will be lending its support to NEFIP.

On the other hand, MANPAC sought the attention of the State Government on the implementation of the Inner Line Permit System.

Pointing out the importance of strictly enforcing the ILP system, MANPAC said the Government and its agencies should monitor and verify the permits of the migrant workers and other visitors who had entered the State using the Inner Line Permit.

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