MANPAC reiterates anti-CAB stand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 01 2019: The MANPAC has categorically told the State Government that there is no change to its position to oppose implementation of CAB in the entire North East region.

As invited by the State Government, a team of MANPAC held a meeting with Chief Minister N Biren at the Chief Minister's office at 3.30 pm today.

Speaking to media persons after the meeting, MANPAC convenor Dilipkumar said that they made it clear there is no change to its position on CAB.

They also asked the Chief Minister to exert strong pressure on the Central Government not to implement CAB in the North East region.

MANPAC reiterates anti-CAB stand

The Chief Minister replied that the State Government has been urging the Central Government either to exempt Manipur from the purview of CAB or insert a special clause in the Bill so that the people of Manipur are not affected by it.

The State Government has already sent a proposal in this regard, N Biren reportedly told the MANPAC team.

CAB might have been drafted by taking the whole country into consideration but both MANPAC and NEFIP have same position on the issue.

The Government of India may pass it but it should not be implemented in the North East region, Dilipkumar said.

The State Government has been talking about inserting a special clause in CAB to exempt the North East from the purview of the Bill but neither MANPAC nor NEFIP has discussed it, he continued.

The Central Government committed a grave mistake by leaving out Manipur while inviting all other North Eastern States to a consultative meeting on CAB, he decried.

He pointed out that MANPAC was formed by around 88 civil society organisations of the State and NEFIP was constituted at the initiative of MANPAC.

If the Central Government must hold any consultative meeting on CAB, both NEFIP and MANPAC should be invited without fail.

As conveyed by Chief Minister N Biren, the Ministry of Home Affairs has expressed its intention to hold a meeting with representatives of Manipur on CAB.

As such, if MANPAC is invited to any such meeting, it would definitely go to Delhi, said the convenor.

Earlier today, a joint meeting of all the 88 constituent member organisations of MANPAC was held at the Kwakeithel office of AMUCO and the meeting reaffirmed the decision to oppose implementation of CAB in the North East region.

The meeting also agreed to carry on public awareness and discussion campaigns on CAB and also to stage extensive protest demonstration against CAB.

While welcoming the Chief Minister's invitation for a meeting on CAB, the meeting resolved to inform the Chief Minister in clear terms that the CAB would be opposed tooth and nail.

The constituent members also agreed to support whatever decision adopted by the MANPAC executive council in urgent matters.