NEIPP demands withdrawal of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill

Our Correspondent

Imphal, Jan.13 (EMN):  Opposing to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8, the North East Indigenous Peoples’ Parliament (NEIPP) which aims to resolve issues and threats that challenge the survival of the indigenous peoples of the NE, on Sunday demanded the withdrawal of Bill as people of the North-eastern region will not accept the Bill in any manner.

The Bill seeks to amend Citizenship Act 1955 to grant Indian nationality to people from minority communities — Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians — from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan after six years of residence in India instead of 12 even if they don’t possess any proper document. It has been opposed by a large section of people and organisations in the Northeast.

Addressing a press conference at the Manipur Press Club in Imphal, Coordinator Ningthouja Lancha of NEIPP said that the Bill is more racist in nature and gives more emphasis on foreign immigrants than people of the region. It is an attempt for slow genocide of indigenous of people, he alleged.

Lancha warned that if circumstances arise, the people of Northeast may demand political autonomy.

NEIPP had been recommending suitable amendments of the provisions of the Chapter on Citizenship contained in Articles 5 to 11 of the Constitution with corresponding amendments of the Citizenship Act 1955 since the last few years.

“North-eastern region has already been flooded with influx of immigrants, the Bill not only threatened the existence of indigenous people but it will have big impact on its land and natural resources, Convenor W Saratchandra said.

Expressing dismay, Co-convenor Bikram Hanse of NEIPP Assam chapter said that’ the Government of India could not respect the people of NE region so now we are demanding its withdrawal.’