Stand against CAB gathers steam : JCILPS adopts 4 resolutions
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 18 2019:
Following a one day academic discourse on Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 at Manipur Press Club today, the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) Manipur has adopted four resolutions concerning the Bill which poses a grave threat to the entire North East region of the country.
The resolutions adopted during the public discourse which was chaired by JCILPS convenor Yumnamcha Dilipkumar, included a resolute opposition against the Bill which was passed by the Lok Sabha on January 8 this year and which has the potential to cause unrest and threat to the indigenous people of the entire North East, particularly in Manipur.
Another resolution was also adopted demanding an immediate session of the Manipur State Assembly and to pressure the State Government to adopt a concrete stand to oppose the said Bill.
The discourse further resolved to launch stringent protest and agitation, along with the people of Manipur against the CAB and it also asserted that it would be the right time for the Manipur People Bill 2018 to be given assent.
Speaking at the event, Yumnamcha Dilipkumar said that the discourse was organised with the aim of bringing the people together to deliberate on the CAB which is sure to leave a large negative impact on the indigenous people of the NE States, particularly Manipur.
He said that JCILPS has been spearheading the movement for the protection of the indigenous people but the recent decision to pass the Bill in the Lok Sabha has posed a threat to the movement and the Bill also has the potential to completely seal the fate of the indigenous people.
Dilipkumar continued that now is not the time for politicians and the Ministers, including the CM himself to blabber useless words and assurance at individual level and instead convene an immediate State Assembly session and adopt a resolution to pressure the Union Government to withdraw the Bill.
The people of Manipur can no longer be pleased by empty promises made by the CM at some State functions or empty statements regarding assurance from the Home Minister in a meeting at Delhi, Dilipkumar added.
The JCILPS convenor warned against passing CAB in the Rajya Sabha and explained that the CAB is against the people of Manipur.
The JCILPS, along with the people, will continue to launch protest and agitation against the CAB, he said.
Claiming that there are rumours the Bill will be tabled during the coming Budget session in February and is likely to be passed, Dilipkumar said that even if a decision is taken to pass the Bill, the people of Manipur will still oppose the Bill tooth and nail.
Even if the people are labelled anti-National, the voice and movement of the people will prevail, the JCILPS convenor added.
He then said that the statement made by the CM that a clause should be inserted in the Bill for Manipur holds no weight as the Lok Sabha has already passed the Bill.
The CAB was passed in the Lok Sabha.
The CM does not have any authority or power to demand that the Bill be withdrawn or amended or corrected, Dilipkumar explained adding that even if the CM or any other individual keep on assuring that the Bill will not impact Manipur, the people and JCILPS do not believe their words.
If they indeed want to save Manipur and the indigenous people, they should be able to convene an emergency State Assembly session and adopt a unanimous decision to oppose the Bill, Dilipkumar reasoned.
He further conveyed that the united voice against the CAB today from all sections of the society, clearly shows that the people are totally against the Bill.
The outcome will be a lot more positive if a unanimous resolution is taken by State Assembly and the Union Government is approached, he added.
Senior Advocate of Manipur High Court, Irom Lalit and Advocate Th Manihar Singh also spoke as resource persons at the discourse.
Comment
