Echoing the decision of Meghalaya Cabinet to oppose the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016, several tribal, youth and students’ bodies of Meghalaya have voiced their opposition to the controversial bill.
The organizations were of the view that the bill threatens the very existence and future of the ethnic communities of the region.
The Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) and All Jaintia Youth Welfare Organization (AJYWO) affirmed that the proposed Bill, if passed, would have adverse consequences for the ethnic and indigenous communities in the State.
HNYF in a petition submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills voiced their opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Khasi-Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) on Thursday is staging a sit-in demonstration protesting the proposed bill.
Several parties and organizations including the HNYF have extended their support and participation in the sit-in demonstration.
The HNYF in its petition to the Deputy Commissioner asserted that unabated influx of illegal migrants has already burdened the State and rehabilitation of the Hindu Bangladeshis will aggravate the problem further.
Meanwhile, the central committee of All Jaintia Youth Welfare Organization (AJYWO) asserted that the proposed Bill would affect the minority communities in the State.
The organization has expressed surprise as to how the Central Government is planning to provide shelter to the Hindu Bangladeshis when indigenous people of this region are still struggling to achieve their basic rights.
NESO’s strong opposition: The North East Students’ Organization (NESO), the umbrella organization of all the major students’ bodies of the North-east is meeting the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 on Thursday to express its opposition to the proposed controversial bill.
NESO chairman Samuel Jyrwa disclosed that they would be submitting a memorandum to the Committee expressing its opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Bill.