IT News
Imphal, Oct 23
The month of October makes people of Manipur – sleepless night as the Government of India has announced to ink a final settlement with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Issak –Muivah) and other Naga political groups on October 31. Mass democratic protests have started across the entire valley region of Manipur over the apprehension that the final agreement may affect the integrity of the state. On the other hand, the month of November this year is likely to put on fire in the entire state again as the Central government will be introducing the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) during the winter session of the Parliament which will begin from November 18 and end on December 13.
Even as the Government of India had assured time and again that the territorial boundary of any of the North eastern states including Manipur will not be affected while solving the issue of the NSCN-IM, RN Ravi’s (Governor of Nagaland and Interlocutor of the peace talk) announcement about granting of a Pan Naga Cultural body and greater autonomy with indications of extending article 371 A to the so call Naga inhabited areas of Manipur has ignited series of mass protest since yesterday.
Sit-in-protest with placards denouncing any measures to disintegrate the state of Manipur were held at various places here in Imphal today under the aegis of an apex body of 5 major civil bodies called COCOMI. Protest were staged at Kwakeithel, Khuyathong, Wangkhei, in Imphal East and Imphal West district. Similar protests were also staged at various places of Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching districts.
The protestors have been demanding to make the public know about the content of the agreement which the government stated to have been finalized for signing with the NSCN-IM and other political groups.
Meanwhile, as per source from New Delhi, the Government of India is all set to introduce a fresh version of the CAB , which was earlier passed by the previous Lok Sabha in January but not taken to Rajya Sabha following protests in North East and perhaps due to resistance from the main opposition Congress.
The Bill was then referred to a joint committee of Parliament.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had stated that the introduction of CAB will not affect the state of Manipur as the center had assured to insert special clause to skip NE states particularly the state of Manipur from the purview of the legislation that the center is preparing to pass for granting of citizenships based on religion.
However, source from Delhi has not revealed inclusion or insertion of any clause for skipping of the NE region or Manipur from the purview of the CAB.
The bill seeks to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955, and grant citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian immigrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have illegally migrated into India. The immigrants must have resided in India in the last one year and for at least six years in total to qualify for citizenship.
