SHILLONG: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has voiced its opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) or any other bill that allows outsiders to acquire Indian citizenship and come and settle in the North East.
The CAB lapsed after the government failed to introduce it in the Rajya Sabha although it was earlier passed in the Lok Sabha.
Speaking to media persons after a meeting with
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma here on Wednesday, chairperson of the Commission, Nand Kumar Sai, said the CAB was against the interest of the people of the region.
He said that the Commission would oppose any bill which allows outsiders to settle in the North East as it would be detrimental to the interest of the indigenous populace.
He further said that the Commission on its part will play an important role to ensure that people of the region are not further burdened with outsiders.
Sai led a team of the Commission to meet the chief minister and discuss several issues pertaining to the state.
He also said that the Commission would urge the central government to give more powers to the autonomous district councils in the state and also ensure that the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo languages are included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
