State seeks exemption from CAB purview
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 10 2019: As resolved at a Cabinet meeting held today, the State Government has sought exemption of Manipur from the purview of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) 2016 .

The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister N Biren reviewed the situation unfolding in the State after the CAB 2016 was passed in the Lok Sabha.

After threadbare discussion, the Cabinet meeting decided to urge the Union Government and the concerned authority to give assent to the Manipur People Protection Bill 2018 and exempt Manipur from the purview of the CAB.

The State Cabinet observed that the population of the State is only about 0.2 per cent of the total population of India.

Manipur has a number of ethnic groups, each with unique dialects, customary laws and practices and these groups need adequate constitutional protection.

The Manipur People Protection Bill 2018 was passed by the State Assembly to protect the indigenous people of the State but the Bill has not yet been given due assent by the President, noted the Cabinet.

There is widespread apprehension that the CAB passed by the Lok Sabha recently would not be in the interest of the people of the State.

There is a deep apprehension that the tiny State would be flooded by a large number of immigrants from neighbouring countries once the CAB becomes an Act, the Cabinet further noted.

Taking into account all these factors, the State Cabinet recommended the Union Government to give assent to the Manipur People Protection Bill 2018 and exclude Manipur from the purview of the CAB.

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