SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress staged a demonstration in Laban on Monday against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and criticised both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for facilitating illegal immigration.
The protest was led by general secretary Fernandez Dkhar and supported by the South Shillong Assembly Youth Congress. “We can’t provide healthcare, education, food, houses and jobs to our own people, now if the bill is passed by the Rajya Sabha it will increase the burden on Meghalaya, North East and the whole county,” said Dkhar.
Reminding all about Modi’s promise before the 2014 election to send all illegal Bangladeshi immigrants back, Dkhar condemned the intention of work permit to Bangladeshis by Sangma.
He added that Modi, with the help of this bill, is trying to allow illegal migrants from Bangladesh to enter through the ‘main door’ and Sangma through work permit “is trying to allow them from windows”.
Dkhar also appreciated the three ministers of AGP who resigned from their ministerial posts.
He also requested the regional parties of Meghalaya to think about the indigenous people and walk out of the NDA.
NEHUSU agitation
The North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) opposed the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Bill by the Lok Sabha.
In a statement, the NEHUSU said the indigenous people of the North East would be easily replaced by illegal immigrants which would be deemed to legal immigrants to different status of the region. The students’ body also condemned the NDA government for this political move to ensure vote bank for the upcoming election.
“The Centre should not try to extend its helping hand to any foreigners as long as its own people are starving and are going through poverty and unemployment,” the statement said.
The NEHUSU would take a call on the different modes of agitation to express its opposition to the bill and also urged all students’ communities of NEHU and other affiliated colleges to stay united during agitation.
