Congress makes stand against CAB clear to Amit Shah ; Himanta Biswa Sarma suggests ILPS for Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 04 2019:
Convenor of North East Democratic Alliance and Finance Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma has suggested that the Inner Line Permit System may be enforced in Manipur during a meeting between a team from the State Congress and Union Home Minister Amit Shah at New Delhi yesterday.
This was warmly welcomed by the Congress delegates.
Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said this while addressing the media today at Congress Bhavan and added that the meeting with the Union Home Minister was held in connection with the Citizenship Amendment Bill.
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Significantly Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier stated that the CAB will not be enforced in States which are under the ILPS and 6th Schedule of the Constitution of India.
Himanta Biswa Sarma chipped in with the ILP suggestion when the Congress reminded the Union Home Minister that ILP was in force in Manipur in the past and detailed how it was abolished by Himmat Singh, the then Chief Commissioner on November 18, 1950 after Manipur merged with India.
However, it remains to be seen if the BJP will keep its promise or act otherwise, Ibobi added.
Ibobi further claimed that the invitation sent to the all political party delegates and MANPAC members by the Union Government was just a formality and the meeting with Amit Shah was just for namesake.
Ibobi further expressed suspicion that the BJP might promise one thing and act in a completely opposite manner in this regard.
Okram Ibobi said that during the meeting with the Union Home Minister, the Congress party made it absolutely clear that it has always opposed the CAB and will continue to do so.
During the meeting, the Congress made it clear that if the Bill is passed, the North East region, including Manipur will experience a large influx of foreigners and will become a dumping ground thereby threatening the very existence of the indigenous people.
As such, the Congress made it known to Amit Shah that the party will never accept the Bill in any way, Ibobi said.