Newmai News Network
Shillong | January 9
Former Nongkrem legislator, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit has pointed out that even though agitations against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) are continuing in other parts of the country, Meghalaya seems to be quiet on this issue.
"Is it because the people of the State are convinced that the government will implement ILP and that the CAA will not affect the indigenous people of the State?" Basaiawmoit asked on Thursday.
The former MLA said that thinking that the Centre will implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and that the CAA will not affect the indigenous people will be a huge blunder because these are two different issues altogether.
"I therefore urge upon the indigenous people to continue with their struggle and intensify their agitations against this unlawful and unconstitutional Act (CAA)," Basaiawmoit said.
He also pointed out the irony that the National Peoples’ Party (NPP) MP from Garo Hills supported the passage of the CAB in the Parliament whereas the Chief Minister of the State who is the president of the party expressed his opposition to it.
The former legislator also said that the BJP MLA from South Shillong Sanbor Shullai claimed to have strongly objected to the Citizenship Act when it was a bill and he had even expressed his willingness to commit suicide should the bill be passed by the Parliament whereas the State BJP is now mobilizing support for the CAA.
"Therefore, I demand that the government clarifies on the matter and comes up with an official statement on its stand on the Citizenship Amendment Act. If the Kerela Assembly can adopt a resolution to not implement the CAA in that State what prevents our State legislature from replicating the same?" Basaiawmoit further asked.
The former MLA also said that the Chief Minister also needs to clarify on his stand on the issue as the head of the government and as the president of the NPP which is leading the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government.
