Citizenship bill does not concern Manipur: Biren Singh

  • | Wednesday | 23rd May, 2018

IMPHAL: Amid growing resistance to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the northeast, chief minister Biren Singh said the proposed legislation would not have any effect on Manipur. It will not affect Manipur," Biren told the media on Tuesday. The bill, introduced by the BJP-led government at the Centre, proposes citizenship for persecuted migrants belonging to religious minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. "The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill concerns Assam . Referring to two fake Aadhaar units being busted recently, he added, "People of the state should be sincere and possess a nationalistic feeling.

IMPHAL: Amid growing resistance to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the northeast, chief minister Biren Singh said the proposed legislation would not have any effect on Manipur."The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill concerns Assam . It will not affect Manipur," Biren told the media on Tuesday. The bill, introduced by the BJP-led government at the Centre, proposes citizenship for persecuted migrants belonging to religious minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Biren added that his government would, instead, table a bill to "protect the indigenous people of the state" in the upcoming assembly session.While Manipur does not share a border with Bangladesh, protests against the bill have been growing on the basis of what it represents - regularization of the entry of migrants and its implications for indigenous people. On Monday, the All Manipur Students' Union had joined in the region-wide stir against the bill, calling it a "serious threat to the indigenous people of the northeastern states".For Manipur, the "influx" issue at hand is that of migrants from Myanmar , with which it shares a border. On Monday, police arrested eight Rohingya, including five minors, here with two United Nations High Commission for Refugees identity cards and four fake Aadhaar cards.Biren said, "Our government has initiated a massive drive against illegal migrants in the state and will continue with it." Referring to two fake Aadhaar units being busted recently, he added, "People of the state should be sincere and possess a nationalistic feeling. They should think about the state and not help illegal migrants," the chief minister said.Biren's statements come at a time when the campaign seeking an anti-migrant bill, spearheaded by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System, has been stepped up.

If You Like This Story, Support NYOOOZ

NYOOOZ SUPPORTER

NYOOOZ FRIEND

Your support to NYOOOZ will help us to continue create and publish news for and from smaller cities, which also need equal voice as much as citizens living in bigger cities have through mainstream media organizations.


Stay updated with all the Latest Imphal headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.

Related Articles