Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday told the Rajya Sabha that the Centre was aware of the concern over the Citizenship Bill in Northeast where situation was under control.
Addressing the Upper House the Parliament at 2.00 pm, the Home Minister said violence were reported from Assam, Meghalaya and other parts of the Northeast during protest against Citizenship Bill, but the situation was under control now.
Rajnath says the Bill is not confined to Assam alone, but the entire country. Assam is affected by illegal immigration for years.
Rajnath Singh said the government is concerned about the welfare and security of the northeastern region. He listed out the steps taken to beef up the security in the border.
Also read: Northeast comes to standstill with shutdown against citizenship bill
Singh said a number of misinformation has been spread on the Citizenship Amendment Bill. The Bill was introduced to help religious minority in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who have faced religious persecution.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Rajya Sabha: I would like to assure in the House that to preserve the hopes and sentiments of the people of Assam and North East our govt will take necessary steps. #CitizenshipAmendmentBill pic.twitter.com/wVRWDYsNgk
— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2019
Earlier, Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 12 pm following ruckus by opposition parties led by Congress over the Citizenship Amendment Bill. Slogan shouting Congress members stormed the well of the House protesting against the bill that provides citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from neighbouring Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
The Congress members were supported by TMC members who moved into alley. Deputy Chairman Harivansh called members to raise matters of public importance during the zero hour but nothing could be heard in the din.
Anand Sharma (Congress) said the entire North-East was on fire as the legislation would affect the security and safety of the region. He demanded that Home Minister come to the House and make a statement assuring that the Bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, will not impact the integrity of the country.
The Bill, he said, is “sending out a dangerous message.”
The Deputy Chairman repeatedly asked members to return to their places but his pleas went unheeded. He then adjourned the proceedings till noon. On resumption, disruption continued while Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot presented the Citizenship Bill.