SHILLONG: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Monday distributed pamphlets which contained warnings against the adverse effects of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, as a sign of protest against the Centre’s move.
The pamphlets titled ‘The Citizenship Bill, 2016 is a plague that will wipe out the indigenous community’ were distributed in government offices like the Secretariat, DC’s office, MPSC building, chief engineer of PWD, the office of the District Council and other areas.
HYC president Robertjune Kharjahrin later said the objective of distributing the pamphlets was to create awareness about the Bill’s ill-effect on the minority communities in the region if it becomes an Act.
“If 1.4 crore Bangladeshi Hindus are allowed to stay in Meghalaya through such laws, the indigenous people will no doubt become refugees in their own land,” he said.
Urging the people to oppose the Bill, the HYC president said the youth council appreciates the bold decision taken by the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) Cabinet to say no to the Bill. The group, however, wants the state government to pass a resolution in the House to send a clear message to the Centre. “We will soon write to the chief minister on this,” said Kharjahrin.
Kharjahrin further informed that HYC will also write to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council to oppose the Bill and pass similar resolutions in their respective Houses and also officially communicate the same to the Centre.
