Exclude Manipur from purview of CAA: PPCM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 03 2024: Reacting to the centre's move to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, Protection and Preservation Committee, Manipur (PPCM) has made it clear that Manipur should be excluded from the purview of the contentious Act even if it is implemented across the country.

In a release, PPCM publicity convenor Brojen Meetei cautioned of launching intense protest if the government tries to enforce the Act in Manipur.

Recalling the mass public movement launched against the Citizenship Amendment Bill in the north eastern states, he recounted the formation of Manipur People Against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (MANPAC) and North East Forum for Indigenous People (NEFIP) to oppose the CAA.

Consequently, the President of India gave assent for implementation of ILP system as the state was bereft of effective mechanism to protect the indigenous people from the influx of outsiders and foreigners.

Brojen further highlighted the order stating that those states where ILP system under Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 is effective will be excluded from the implementation of CAA.

Though the current conflict in Manipur is between Kuki militants and Meetei, the central government should accept that it is a war waged against India which directly affects its internal security.

In the midst of the present conflict that has resulted from unregulated influx of illegal immigrants, the attempt to implement CAA so as to allow outsiders from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh to come into the country is a ploy to wipe out small states like Manipur, Brojen observed, while making it clear that CAA should not be implemented in the state as had been the staunch stand of the people.

The state government should convey the message to the central government in time to thwart from unwanted incidents, he suggested.

Comment