HNYF cautions citizens on CAB

SHILLONG: The central body of the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) has appealed to the people of the North East to not fall into the trap laid down by the Indian Government which is of the belief that the implications of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill will not affect certain North East states which have the provisions of the Inner line Permit (ILP).
In a statement issued here, the HNYF said that the CAB, if passed, will be a law dealing with citizenship and citizens with all the implications of fundamental rights as provided in the constitution and that includes fundamental rights to equality, freedom to move freely throughout the territory of India including rights to contest elections and to vote. These rights would turn foreigners into full fledged citizens of India.
“No country in the world can discriminate against its citizens on civil and political rights. This means that if the CAB is passed, all foreigners who seek Indian citizenship under this proposed law will become Indian citizens in all constitutional intents and purposes,” the statement said.
The HNYF has also appealed to political parties and leaders including the District Councils to not seek exemption of the CAB but to directly oppose the proposed legalisation of influx to North East India and Meghalaya in particular.
The organisation went on to say that the CAB is not going to be a law dealing with subjects such as land, forest or movement of goods which can simply be exempted.