Amid confusion over Citizenship Bill, Manipur MP warns about ‘dangerous’ ramifications

Amid uncertainty and government floor managers trying to push the Citizenship Amendment Bill – even keeping some north eastern states out of its purview – Manipur Congress MP Thokchom Meinya on Tuesday sought immediate withdrawal of the contentious draft law.
Meanwhile, a delegation of All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) led by adviser Samujjal Bhattacharya met Akali Dali leader Naresh Gujral and also Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and urged them to insist with NDA leadership not to pursue with the Bill in the Upper House.
AASU is also exploring moving the court to challenge the Bill if it is passed in Rajya Sabha.
“If this Bill is not withdrawn immediately, the fall-out will be very dangerous and situation will be out of control. I strongly condemn the action of Delhi Police who arrested and manhandled our elderly women protesters without the presence of a single woman police person,” he said in Lok Sabha.
If the Bill is passed in its present form, there will arise a huge ‘demographic challenge’ in the North-East in general and Manipur in particular, he pointed out during Zero Hour in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
“With the introduction of Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and its passing by the Lok Sabha; the people of Manipur have now started demanding the pre-merger status of Manipur, an erstwhile Nation State. Hence, I strongly urge upon the Union Government to immediately withdraw the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the best interest of all concerned,” he said.
Several other members Thangso Baite, Jitendra Chaudhury, Md. Badaruddoza Khan, Sankar Prasad Datta, P.K. Biju and N.K Premachandran also associated with him.
Meanwhile, north east leaders including Chief Ministers of Meghalaya Conrad Sangma, Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu, Manipur N Biren Singh were in the capital keeping eyes on developments.
Interestingly, the BJP MPs were also clueless about the developments and were seen enquiring about the government’s possible moves.
Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said the government is serious about the Citizenship Bill as none other Prime Minister Narendra Modi has mentioned about it in public rallies in Jammu and in Guwahati.
Sources hinted that the BJP floor managers are exploring the possibilities of extending the session of Rajya Sabha beyond Wednesday as the government is keen to push some important draft legislation including the high profile Citizenship Amendment Bill and much talked about Triple Talaq Bill.
Sources said as the on-going Budget session of Parliament is to end on Wednesday, government has listed several Bills including The Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018 and The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill.
However, uncertainty still prevailed over the fate of these draft laws as the government and the chair have to ensure passage of the Motion of Thanks to President’s Address Motion and the General Budget.(UNI)