MANPAC reiterates anti-CAB stand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 09 2019: Informing that different CSOs based in the North East submitted a memo to the Prime Minister today (through their respective Governors) reaffirming the resolution adopted against any attempt to pass the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in the region during an earlier meeting of the North East Forum for Indigenous People (NEFIP), Manipur People Against CAB (MANPAC) has cautioned that if the Bill is forcefully passed in the Indian Parliament, the whole region will erupt in flames.

MANPAC reiterates anti-CAB stand

Speaking to media persons at JCILPS office today, MANPAC convenor Yumnamcha Dilipkumar said that the various constituent bodies of NEFIP submitted a memo to the PM through their respective State Governors today and the memo warned against any attempt to implement CAB in the North East region as well any attempt to pass the Bill in the Parliament.

Informing that a team of MANPAC led by him met the Governor of the State today and submitted a similar memorandum as well, Dilipkumar said that the decision to submit the memo to the PM came due to the recent shift and changes occurring in the Indian Parliament and recognising the importance of making it crystal clear that the people of the North East region are totally opposed to the Bill.

Pointing out that key leaders of NEFIP are currently in Guwahati briefing media persons, Dilipkumar said that considering the violence and unrest which gripped the whole North East region during December last year and January this year, NEFIP considers it paramount to stiffly oppose any attempts to pass the Bill.

He assured that MANPAC still stands against CAB and added that the association is monitoring the policy and nature of the Central Government.

On the other hand, Dilipkumar conveyed that MANPAC strongly condemns the recent act of scrapping Articles 370 and 35A and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir by the Central Government.

Stating that such an abrupt and drastic step was not expected in a democracy, he said that the people of Manipur have been always been tense concerning the Naga peace talk issue and this tension has been compounded by the apprehension that such drastic steps might be taken up when it comes to the CAB as well.

He cautioned that if the Central Government decides to implement CAB, then MANPAC will launch an even bigger agitation compared to the past and urged the people to remain alert regarding the developing situation.

Considering that CAB was included in the election manifesto of the BJP and considering the recent bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, it is possible that the Central Government might try to create disharmony among the people of the NE region, he alleged adding that MANPAC does not believe the Central Government will act in the interest of the people of Manipur or the NE region.

It is worth noting that the leaders and politicians of the State are not even able to solve their own problems and at such a juncture, if the CAB is introduced during the next Parliament session, the whole State will go up in flames, Dilipkumar warned.

Pointing out that NEFIP wants ILP to be implemented for all the States of the North East region so as to negate the impact of the large influx of illegal migrants in the region, he said that it is high time for all the CSOs and the people to unite and fight against any attempts to destroy the indigenous people of the State and the region in general.