Right to secede Bill if CAB passed : PRISM
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Aizawl, April 03 2019: The People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM), an anti-corruption watchdog turned political party, on Wednesday claimed that it was trying to introduce "Right to Secession Bill" in the Parliament "if the Centre introduces the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill" .

It can be noted here that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had issued a notice to PRISM on March 22, seeking clarification from the party for making the "Right to Secession Bill" as the party's poll plank.

The ECI had said that the "matter involves question of the unity and integrity of the country" .

Right to secede Bill if CAB passed : PRISM

Clarifying, PRISM president, Vanlalruata told a news conference on Wednesday that his party was trying to move the "Right to Secession Bill because the Centre is attempting to legislate the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which is against secularism, unity and integrity of the Nation" .

He also said that they had also clarified the matter to the Election Commission of India.

According to Vanlalruata, BJP president Amit Shah had earlier told a rally in Assam's Lakhimpur that his party would re-introduce the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, if it returns to power.

Vanlalruata said that the proposed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, if enacted, is not only harmful to the entire North East region, but would also divide India demographically.

He also said that his party has no other option but to introduce the "Right to Secession Bill" for the safety of the Mizos, who are declared indigenous people by the United Nations, if the Central Government tries to legislate the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which triggered massive protest in the North East, was passed by the Lok Sabha on February 8 but was not tabled in the Rajya Sabha later.

Meanwhile, welcoming the civil society organisations for their initiative not to allow the Bru voters exercise their franchise at relief camps in Tripura, the PRISM president said that names of the Bru voters, who refused to return to Mizoram should be deleted from the State's electoral roll.

He also urged the State Government to take efforts to this effect.

"For every Indian citizen, we have the right to migrate to any of the Indian States.

The Bru people also migrated to Tripura and they should be enrolled as voters there if they are reluctant to return to Mizoram," he said.

It can be noted here that the PRISM has fielded a former sailor, TBC Lalvenchhunga for the lone Lok Sabha seat, polling for which will be held simultaneously with Assembly by-election to Aizawl West-I seat.