NSUI joins cry against CAB
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 07 2019: National Students' Union of India (NSUI), Manipur State Unit has strongly condemned the announcement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the Citizen Amendment Bill 2016, will be passed in the Winter Parliament session, during a public rally held at Silchar on January 4, just after he left Imphal the same day.

Speaking to media persons at NSUI office today, its State general secretary N Shyamananda said that during his visit to Manipur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a number of new projects and laid foundation stones for other new projects apart from providing various other benefits to the people.

But soon after he left the State, he created an alarming and disturbing atmosphere in the whole North East region by stating that the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 will be passed, during a public rally held at Silchar the same day.

Narendra Modi stated that the Central Government is looking forward to passing the Bill in the Parliament at the earliest, he said adding that NSUI Manipur State strongly condemns such a statement coming from the Prime Minister which has hurt the sentiments of the people residing in the entire North East region.

The said Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 was on the BJP's 2014 election manifesto and it mentioned that Hindus of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will be provided protection and Indian citizenship.

NSUI Manipur State strongly condemns the steps taken up by the Government based on religion as India is a secular country and in the said Bill the refugees are being classified as migrants, he added.

He then mentioned that the Bill was not passed earlier due to opposition from various corners and as the Bill itself is totally against the Constitution of India.

Asking whether the Central Government has a hidden agenda behind the Bill as it is trying so hard to pass the strongly opposed Bill, Shyamananda said that NSUI Manipur State questioned the BJP what will be the benefit of providing citizenship to the illegal migrants and whether BJP has considered the negative impact of giving citizenship to illegal migrants or if it (BJP) considers that there will be no negative impact due to the Bill.

Stating that the Bill might also affect international relationship of India with its neighbouring countries, Shyamananda asked why the BJP is trying to pass the Bill again and again in Parliament.

The Bill is not only a threat to the Indian Constitution but will also pose a big threat to the whole North East region.

The Bill will be a threat to the existence of the small indigenous community of the region, he explained.

The demand made by the people of Manipur for the past many years for the protection of the indigenous people, will be of no use if the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 is passed by the Central Government.

Manipur is presently experiencing the impact of NRC which was conducted recently in Assam.

If the Bill is passed, what will be the future of the indigenous people of the State as currently there are no Bills to provide 100 percent protection and safeguard to the indigenous people of Manipur, he asked.

Shyamananda reasoned that Nagaland, where Inner Line Permit system is implemented, is even facing issues of non locals.

If the Bill is passed, what will be the future of Manipur where there is no ILP system, he asked.

NSUI Manipur State appeals to the people residing in the hills and the valley to be fully aware of the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 and the association also appealed to the Chief Minister to study the Bill thoroughly and oppose it.

The recently formed Meghalaya Government led by Conrad Sangma, along with the Cabinet Ministers, took the decision to oppose the Bill, Shyamananda explained, appealing the Chief Minister and the Ministers of Manipur to do the same as well.

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