21st May 2018 10:05:PM State
Eastern Sentinel Arunachal News

ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, May 21: All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union today slammed the state government for its stoic silence on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. AAPSU along with its district units in collaboration with Northeast Students Organization organized a sit-in protest against the central government regarding the Bill at IG Park here today.

Addressing the gathering, President AAPSU Hawa Bagang categorically said that the union has always opposed the bill tooth and nail.

‘Neither will we accept the Bill nor will we allow any illegal refugees to be settled in Arunachal,’ he said adding that more democratic movements, under the aegis of NESO will be held in the interest of the indigenous people of the region.

Bagang also lamented over the silence of many former AAPSU leaders who are associated with the state government on the issue. He raised concern over the non-cooperation by few organizations in pockets across the state.

Sending a strong message to the Centre, Bagang stated ‘We will not tolerate who work against our country and also who work against the will of the people of Arunachal Pradesh. We will go to any extent to protect the indigenous rights of the people of Arunachal.’

While elaborating on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016, General Secretary Tobom Dai said ‘Chief Ministers of Assam and Meghalaya have clearly given their stand and opposed the Bill but we are stunned over the silence maintained by Chief Minister Pema Khandu on the issue.’

Citizenship (Amendment) Bill- 2016, clearly says that minority groups especially from Hindu, Christian, Buddhist community  of  Pakistan, Bangladesh & Afghanistan will  get citizenship and this Bill will jeopardize the movement of AAPSU  as it will open the gates for Chakma –Hajong   and Tibetans to be qualified for citizenship as they are mostly Buddhists and Hindus, he added.

‘India is a democratic and secular country and so policies, programmes should be made on the will and for the betterment of its indigenous people and not for illegal migrants or refugees,’ Dai asserted while opposing the Bill.

Among others, NESO Convenor-Pritam Bhai Sonam, People’s Party of Arunachal Chief Kafha Bengia, Indian National Congress Member, Marpin Basar, former ANSU and AAPSU leaders also spoke on the occasion.

Meanwhile, AAPSU and NESO jointly submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016.

 


Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List