MSDF too opposes CAB 2016
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 11 2019:
Expressing strong opposition against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016, Manipur Secular Democratic Front (MSDF), an apex body of five political parties, has conveyed that it will take a firm stand against the Bill.
Making the above statement during a press meet held at the office of Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress (MPTC) in Sanjenthong today evening, MSDF convenor Dr Thokchom Enaocha said that BJP, which has always been dictating the lives of the people, has once again introduced an un-secular and un-constitutional Bill which will lead to the extinction of the native people of the North East.
The Bill will also destroy Manipur's 2000 years worth of culture, tradition and history, he said.
Enaocha maintained that the Chief Minister's assurance to the people that the State will be shielded from the CAB 2016 if the President gives assent to the Manipur People's Protection Bill 2018, is a meaningless statement and an attempt to fool the people of the State.
NCP State president, Iboyaima Soram, who was also present at the meet, pointed out that an inferno will erupt from the small sparks, which will lead to an unpredictable situation in the entire North East region, if the Indian Government fails to revoke the Bill at the earliest.
He noted that CAB 2016 is against its Principal Act, the Citizenship Act 1955, and added the right thing would be to deliberate the actual agenda of amending the said Bill.
He stated that in the process of amending the CAB 2016, which will grant citizenship to people from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who follows six different religions, people following Islam have not been mentioned/considered.
Besides, people following other religious sect including Sanamahi and Tingkhao Ragwang are not even included.
Iboyaima further stated that it is a valid point to ask whether Sanamahi followers living in Bangladesh and Myanmar will be allowed citizenship or not.
It is highly suspicious and probable that the BJP's ideals and agenda are to bring forth and build a Hindutva nation by driving away Islam followers from the country, maintained the NCP leader.
Maintaining that CAB 2016 is immature and imperfect, Iboyaima Soram asserted that introduction of CAB 2016 is an autocratic method and an election strategy of the BJP led NDA Government, which has now spread fear and panic among all the people and also has the possibility of causing religious clashes and it can even turn into an international issue.
Iboyaima questioned why the key political parties of the BJP led State Government, has remained mum at such critical times.
CM Biren's statement claiming to get President's assent to the Manipur People's Protection Bill 2018 is an impossible task, he stated adding that getting assent is not going to calm down the people any less.
The State Government should pressure the Central Government to withdraw CAB 2016 instead, Iboyaima asserted.
Meanwhile, Democratic Bharatiya Samaj Party (DBSP) Manipur president Chabungbam Premchandra said that Manipur Secular Democratic Front (MSDF) is a congregation of five political parties namely MPTC, JD, AAP, NCP and DBSP.
MSDF will endorse any agitation or movement against the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016, he assured.
On the other hand, All Manipur Muslim Organisations' Co-ordinating Committee (AMMOCOC) has also extended solidarity to the people of the North East in general and Manipur in particular, against the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 which is an anti-indigenous Bill.
A press release issued by AMMOCOC spokesperson stated that the committee is not against the humanitarian act of giving accommodation to refugees or the persecuted peoples of other countries irrespective of caste, creed or religion but the current CAB 2016 is totally against the wish and desire of the people.
AMMOCOC urged the authorities concerned to assemble the refugees proportionately, however, it also sought attention that the NER has had enough of refugees.
The Gol has to look for other regions other than Northeastern to accommodate them, it asserted.
It further urged the Gol to respect the Assam Accord 1985 and uphold the autonomy and rights of indigenous people of the North East region.
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