NE need to unite against CAA: Aribam Syam
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 14 2019: Renowned film maker and Padma Shree Awardee Aribam Syam Sharma has appealed to the peoples of the entire North East region to stand united with Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya against the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019, remarking that the North East States of the country, are not dumping grounds for illegal immigrants.

Speaking to media persons at his residence today afternoon, he said that in February this year, when the CAB was introduced by the Union Government as a Bill in the Parliament (although it was not tabled in the Rajya Sabha), he returned his Padma Shree Award in protest against the Bill.

NE need to unite against CAA: Aribam Syam

He returned the award with a moral conviction to save the indigenous people of the State and the entire North East region.

Stating that his stand of opposing the CAB (now CAA) still stands and will continue to do so until the entire NE region is free from the Act, Aribam Syam Sharma said that it is fortunate that Manipur has been exempted from the Act due to the extension of Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) .

He nonetheless lauded the decision to implement ILPS in Manipur as was announced by the Union Home Minister in the Parliament that regions with 6th Schedule and ILPS will be exempted from the Citizenship Amendment Act.

He continued that the implementation of ILPS in the State is an achievement for the public and the fruit of the sacrifice made by the people who have been demanding implementation of such a system in Manipur for a long time.

Keeping aside implementation of ILPS in Manipur, he said that he returned his Padma Shree Award opposing the CAA not only in the interest Manipur but for the entire North East considering the fact that the CAA will have adverse impacts on the region due to influx of foreigners.

He further expressed solidarity to people of Assam and Tripura as well as those who sacrificed their lives after the passing of the CAB.

Aribam Syam Sharma said that the people of Manipur also need to show solidarity to those who are agitating against the Act in Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya.

"If the States of the North East are divided, then we will not be able to survive and it will not bring any development in the region.

One must not forget that the people of North East are one and must always remain united", he conveyed.

"We must not consider that the present problem in Assam is only confined in Assam but it is an issue which involves the entire NE region", he explained reasoning that if the foreigners come and settle in Assam, then they (foreigners) will easily begin to spread to other parts of the region as well.

The Union Government must consider this fact and protect the people of Assam under the Assam Accord, he added.

The veteran film maker further urged the Union Government to provide ILPS or any other alternative measures for Assam, Tripura and other States which are not protected under the Inner Line Permit or the 6th Schedule, so as to protect the indigenous people, their land and culture.

He continued that the people of the NE must raise a united voice against CAA.

Aribam Shyam Sharma further expressed that the people of Manipur must not turn a blind eye to what is happening in Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya right now and appealed to the people to think hard before celebrating aimlessly, while the neighbouring States are burning due to the Act.