SHILLONG, Dec 11: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) under the umbrella of the North East Students’ Union (NESO) observed ‘Black Day’ on Sunday to mark the third anniversary of the passage of the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
KSU members put up black flags in the city including Khyndailad and Motphran and elsewhere in Khasi and Jaintia Hills region.
KSU chief Lambokstar Marngar recalled that the union had opposed and protested against the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, when it was still a bill.
“We had met various central leaders to strongly object the Centre’s move to pass this legislation since it will facilitate people from other countries to enter the region which will add to the influx problem,” Marngar said.
He pointed out that the Northeastern region is facing a major threat from illegal immigrants who are trying to outnumber the indigenous tribal population of the region.
“We are concerned since the state shares a long boundary with Bangladesh. BSF personnel deployed along the international border are not able to detect the entry of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh,” the KSU president said.
He criticised the Centre for turning a blind eye towards their demand for implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) to address the influx problem.
According to him, the BJP-led NDA Government wants to give Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis or Christians.
“But what about the attack and atrocities committed on Christians in various parts of the country. This clearly shows the double standard of the BJP government. The agenda behind passing the CAA is to make India a Hindu nation,” the KSU president said.
