Amit Shah assures measures to protect Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 04 2019:
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured to take up special measures to protect the interests of Manipur and her people when the Citizenship Amendment Bill is enacted.
The assurance was given during the meeting MAN-PAC (Manipur People Against Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016) had with the Union Minister at Assam Bhawan at 12.10 am today, said MANPAC in a statement issued by its convenor Yumnamcha Dilipkumar.
MANPAC convenor Yumnamcha Dilipkumar, NEFIP (North East Forum for Indigenous People) president Ningthouja Lancha, MANPAC co-convenors Amukamei, Somorendro Th, Laishangbam Jadumani, Mangcha Haokip, Thiyam Sharatchandra and members of the Core Committee Ph Deban Sharma, Md Kheiruddin Shah Moijingmayum were also present in the meeting with Amit Shah.
Rajya Sabha MP K Bhabananda, ex-CM O Ibobi and others including representatives of CPI, MPP, Shiv Sena, NPP and NPF were also present in the meeting.
During the meeting, MANPAC reaffirmed its stand to exclude Manipur and entire North-East from the ambit of CAB.
The Union Minister heard their demands to exclude Manipur from the ambit of the Bill or include provisions to protect the State and assured MANPAC of feasible 'arrangements' to address people's apprehension.
However, people should remain vigilant and ready to launch stringent agitations if the Bill is tabled or passed in Parliament without the special measures the Home Minister had assured, said MANPAC.
MANPAC informed the Union Minister that it would decide future course of action after consulting the people.
MANPAC's stand on the issue remains the same and if the Bill is passed without a clause to protect Manipur, all responsibility of the eventualities must be borne by the Government of India and State Government, it said.
CAB may be a necessary Bill for the rest of India, but to the North Eastern States, the Bill is a threat that would encourage influx of migrants and change the entire demography.
Manipur has no protection against the Bill, she has neither Inner Line Permit System and nor is under the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, said MANPAC.
Government of India should study the impact the Bill would have in the North-East.
Before reaching out and saving illegal religious refugees from other countries, Government should first save the indigenous people of the North East, added MANPAC.
It may be noted that the Union Cabinet has cleared the CAB today and it is likely to be tabled in Parliament next week.
The Bill seeks to provide citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.