CAB has nothing inimical to Manipur : Govt spokesman
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 18 2019:
Categorically stating that the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) 2016 has nothing which is inimical to the people of Manipur, Government spokesman and Education Minister Th Radheshyam has appealed to all the people not to be unduly wary of the Bill.
Asserting that he is ready for a debate, he asked all to point out if there is provision or clause in CAB which would harm Manipur.
All those people who have been raising all kinds of hue and cry against CAB are those who are not part of the Government (Opposition parties), he asserted.
He was speaking at the prize distribution ceremony of a State level essay writing competition held on the theme of CAB on November 2.The prize distribution ceremony was held today at the auditorium of Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) .
He said that one needs to fully understand whether the CAB will affect Manipur, and if yes, up to what extent.
CAB 2016 is just an amendment to the Citizenship Act which is already there but the amendment Bill could not be passed in the Parliament till date, Radheshyam said.
Three new provisions have been inserted in CAB 2016 .
As per the new provisions, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians coming from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan would not be treated as illegal migrants even if they do not possess valid documents.
Whereas it requires the particular immigrants to stay in India for 11 years before they are eligible for Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Act, the compulsory domicile period would be reduced to 6 years when the amended version comes into effect, said the Education Minister.
All those foreigners who would be granted Indian citizenship under CAB 2016 have already settled in India without valid documents in different States such as Gujarat, Bihar, Bengal etc.
There is no provision for granting citizenship to new immigrants, he said.
CAB 2016 was drafted in view of the difficulties endured by these people who escaped to India from political repression in their native countries.
They have not been getting their due rights nor any share of Government welfare measures as they are not granted Indian citizenship, Radheshyam said.
CAB 2016 seeks to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who came to India from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan before December 31, 2014 as and when they complete six years in India, he elaborated.
Claiming that no foreign immigrant applied for Indian citizenship in India till December 31, 2015, the Government spokesman said that the DCs concerned would first verify meticulously even if there is any one from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who had already settled in other parts of India and now wishes to move to Manipur.
Radheshyam then questioned the possibility of CAB 2016 opening a floodgate of immigrants to Manipur.
Saying that there is serious misunderstanding among the masses about CAB 2016, Radheshyam underscored the need to understand thoroughly all the provisions of the Bill.
Even if there are certain areas in CAB 2016 which may harm the interest of Manipur, the same may be discussed peacefully in order to explore remedial measures instead of raising all kinds of hue and cry, he added.
All the uproar seen in Assam has subsided after the Union Home Ministry constituted a committee with an assurance to safeguard the Assamese language, culture and identity from CAB 2016, and after six communities earlier listed under OBC category were granted Scheduled Tribe status, Radheshyam claimed.
The first three winners of the essay writing competition were awarded cash prizes of Rs 30,000, Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively while 10 others were awarded consolation prize of Rs 5000 each.
Education Commissioner Kh Raghumani, Education (S) Director Th Kirankumar and Higher and Technical Education Director Malemnganba Chenglei were also present at the prize distribution ceremony.
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