Prez’s nod sought for Manipur People (Protection) Bill

Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Friday said his cabinet has resolved to approach the Centre demanding President Ram Nath Kovind’s nod for the Manipur People (Protection) Bill, 2018, that will overrule the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. The Manipur Bill was expected to go a long way in protecting the indigenous people, he said.
Singh claimed that he is the first Chief Minister from a BJP-ruled state to “oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill”.
He also assured his state that there would be no disturbance in Manipur as there was no difference between the people and his government.
“We had been elected by the people and as such we will never go against the wishes of the people,” he said.
Singh, however, urged the people to refrain from making any statement that can hurt the sentiment of other communities, and not to use terms that are against the country’s democratic system. Protesters many times used slogans which signals that they demanded independence, Singh said. The case could take a different turn if legal actions are initiated against those who voice separatism, he said.
The government works for the interest of the people and have been discussing steps that can be taken and is constantly putting pressure on the Centre to exempt the state from the bill. “We are fighting for the people,” Singh added. (Agencies)