MANPAC scoffs at NRC idea before resolving CAB issue
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 21 2019: Manipur Peoples Against Citizenship Amendment Bill (MANPAC) has reasoned that the idea of implementing National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the tense situation surrounding the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) is resolved, will be highly illogical.

Speaking to media persons at AIMS office at Kwakeithel today, MANPAC convenor Yumnamcha Dilipkumar said that MANPAC welcomes the announcement made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the Rajya Sabha yesterday concerning implementation of NRC Nationwide.

However, bringing in NRC before resolving the issue surrounding CAB is extremely foolish and uncalled for, he lamented.

MANPAC scoffs at NRC idea before resolving CAB issue

If NRC is implemented in Manipur, then the base year has to be 1951, Dilipkumar demanded, explaining that the Manipur People Bill, which was passed by the State Assembly and is currently awaiting assent from the President of the country, already has the base year specified as 1951.In the agreement signed between the State Government and AMSU and AMSCOC in 1980 and 1994, the base year was 1951 as well, the MANPAC convenor informed.

Dilipkumar then expressed gratitude to all those who supported the protests taken up by MANPAC (under the aegis of NEFIP) against CAB, adding that the association is planning to begin its consolidation phase.

During this consolidation phase, MANPAC will organise awareness programmes and meetings across the State to make the people aware of the possible impact of CAB in Manipur and the North East region, he explained.

MANPAC, along with the people, will also support every future agitation launched by NEFIP, Dilipkumar added.

On the other hand, he strongly condemned the alleged attempt by the State Government to mislead the people regarding CAB.

Expressing disappointment at the cheap tricks employed by the State Government like alleged distribution of leaflets (without any authority) through Manipur police to sway the people, Dilipkumar said that arresting/threatening MANPAC members and women vendors for opposing CAB is not a step in the right direction.

He continued that the arrest of MANPAC co-convenor and president of MMWO, Abdullah Phundreimayum on November 18 (he was released today) is very unfortunate and appealed to the State Government not to resort to such tactics in the future.

Such actions will only lead to a gap between the Government and the people, he reasoned.

Yumnamcha Dilipkumar then clarified that the State Government did not invite MANPAC for any talk in connection with CAB and urged the leaders of the State to refrain from making false claims during functions and events that MANPAC declined the invitation of the Government for holding talks.

MANPAC is ready to meet the State and Central Governments if properly invited, he said adding that the association is also prepared for any discussion or debate concerning CAB.

On the other hand, MANPAC co-convenor Ningthouja Lancha said that it has been learned that a group called Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is planning to initiate a campaign (from November 25 - December 13) called Sangsad Sampark Abhiyan for pressuring the various MPs for approving CAB and stated that such an act, which is totally against the sentiments of the North East region, by a religious group is extremely shocking to say the least.

This issue regarding VHP will also be discussed during the consolidation phase of MANPAC, he informed.

He then appealed to the State Government to do the needful to revoke the notice which was issued by IMC today to take up action against those shops which remained shut during the total shut down called by MANPAC.

This, totally uncalled for act, will only lead to more problems in the future, Lancha reasoned, warning that MANPAC will not remain silent if the worst case scenario occurs.