GUWAHATI: The United Christian Forum of North East India has appealed to the Centre to acknowledge the ongoing agitation against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB), 2016 in the Northeast and refrain from going ahead with the contentious legislation.
The forum, a consortium of all Churches in the Northeast, in its annual meeting held here recently, expressed concern at the growing unrest among communities in the wake of the Centre’s bid to pass the Bill in Parliament.
“Church leaders in the meeting expressed deep concern at the insensitivity of the Centre towards the sentiments and aspirations of the indigenous people of the Northeast. The Church represents all communities and therefore cannot disassociate itself when there is a threat posed to them by such a Bill,” the forum’s spokesperson, Allen Brooks told The Shillong Times here on Monday.
The meeting discussed at length the growing unrest, fear and anxiety expressed by all sections of citizens across the Northeast in the wake of decisions taken by the ruling dispensation
“It is all the more shocking when major decisions are made in the country based only on religious affiliation, thus compromising the secular identity of the nation,” Brooks said.
The meeting, he said, therefore expressed solidarity with the people and appealed to the government to reconsider its stand and adhere to the democratic voices of the people. The Church leaders also appealed to all its members to pray for a peaceful and amicable solution.