SHILLONG: Meghalaya Government has said ‘no’ the proposed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 which seeks to make illegal migrants who belong to six communities – Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians – eligible for citizenship of India.
Speaking to media persons after the Cabinet meeting here on Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister and Government spokesperson, Prestone Tynsong said, “We have seen the draft bill introduced by the Parliament and after thorough discussion, we have decided to say ‘No’ to the proposed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016.”
Stating that the Bill has flaws which look dangerous and pose threat to a small state like Meghalaya, he added that Meghalaya could not accept the Bill due to the fact that the state and other states of Northeast India were surrounded by countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and China
“These provisions in the Bill look dangerous for the tribal communities of the state and the region,” he added.
The two controversial clauses which the state government is opposing include — the Bill seeks to allow illegal migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian communities coming from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan to not be imprisoned or deported. In short, they will not be considered as ‘illegal immigrants’.
Under the Citizenship Act of 1955, foreigners who come into India without valid travel documents, or stay in the country beyond their visa period, are considered illegal migrants. However, in September 2015, illegal migrants belonging to minority communities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan and coming to India on or before December 31, 2014, were allowed to stay.
It may be mentioned that the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill,2016 will visit Shillong on May 10 and 11 to obtain feedback on the Bill
The proposed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 has been vehemently opposed by the NGOs in Meghalaya as well as in Assam.
Earlier, hundreds of organisations converged in Guwahati on Monday to submit a memorandum to the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
