Ranjan to raise CAB issue in LS on Nov 26
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 24 2019: Lok Sabha MP RK Ranjan has stated that he will raise the issue of Citizenship Amendment Bill and the growing fear of Manipuri people about it in the Lok Sabha on November 26.Speaking to media persons today, Ranjan said that the people witnessed a very difficult situation on account of influx of outsiders during 1972 and 1975.On account of influx of outsiders, political rights of the indigenous people are being undermined steadily, said the Lok Sabha MP.

Trade and commercial activities are the main purpose of people coming to Manipur from other parts of India and they don't have any intention to demand homeland in Manipur, Ranjan said.

Outsiders who are posing threat to Manipur are those people who came from Myanmar side.

They have already started capturing political, economic and environmental rights of the indigenous people, he said.

By burning down hill ranges to make charcoal, immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh have been destroying land resources apart from violating environmental rights of indigenous people, said the Lok Sabha Member.

Indigenous people ought to know who cultivates poppy on hill ranges and which group of people are mainly involved in smuggling drugs, he continued.

It is only those people who came to India through its western border before December 31, 2014 who would be granted Indian citizenship under CAB, said Ranjan and added there would not be any fear for influx of outsiders in Manipur on account of CAB.

Nonetheless, the Central Government would be urged to take up necessary measures so that CAB does not affect Manipur in any manner, Ranjan said.

He said that he would urge the Central Government to give consent to the Manipur People Bill already passed by the State Assembly.

The Manipur People Bill, if granted assent by the Central Government, would be able to prevent outsiders from buying land in the State, he asserted.

He went on to claim that he has been working to introduce an inland fishery policy on December 10 so as to protect rights of fishermen of Loktak Lake, facilitate abundant production of fish and conserve water bodies.

Due preparation is also being made to raise a star question on formulating a new land reform policy for the whole country.

This would facilitate allotment of land and paddy fields to landless people/farmers, he added.

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