The Confederation of Hynniewtrep Social Organisation (CoHSO) in Meghalaya has warned the militancy may get revived in the Northeastern states if the BJP-led government at the Centre goes ahead to enact the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016.
The Chairman of CoHSO, Robertjune Kharjahrin told media in Shillong on Tuesday that militancy might rear its ugly head anew ‘if the BJP bulldozes its way for the Bill’.
According to him, with the contentious Bill, the BJP has set out to nullify all agreements signed between the N-E states and Government of India. He said, the bill also violate the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution
“How will the relationship of the North Eastern states with India be defined if all the agreements are nullified with the coming of the Bill?” he questioned.
Regarding the BJP’s justification that the bill is based on “humanitarian ground”, Kharjahrin suggested India should instead impose economic sanctions on Bangladesh on ground of religious persecution.
“Bangladesh gets foreign aid from India and if Bangladesh is persecuting people on religious ground, it can impose economic sanctions on Bangladesh. Both countries can also approach the United Nations if there is religious persecution,” he said.
He added India can also influence other countries to impose economic sanctions rather than coming up with the Bill. He commented that bill was meant for uprooting indigenous groups from the country.
Kharjahrin has urged Rajya Sabha MPs to not give their approval to the Bill.
He reiterated the demand for Meghalaya government to pass an Assembly resolution, rather than the Cabinet resolution, against the Bill.
The CoHSO is intensifying its agitation starting with public meeting at Jowai (January 18), Khliehriat and Umsning (January 21) and Mawkyrwat and Nongstoin (January 23) and distribution of leaflets to the public and video on CAB will be release.
He added that CoHSO will hold a hunger strike from January 24, 25 and 26 against the Bill
Kharjahrin has urged the different organisations –the FKJGP, KSU, Dorbar shnong, dorbar kur, state government employees etc., in the state to unite against the Bill.