ITANAGAR, May 11:The People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) and Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has adopted a joint resolution to fight “tooth and nail” against implementation of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 considering its far reaching  impact on socio political and economic aspects in Arunachal Pradesh and Northeast states as a whole.

The decision was taken in joint meeting conducted at a city hotel held on Thursday over the controversial Bill where both the opposition parties also raised the immediate need for amending the Arunachal Statehood Act 1986.

 Both the parties opined that Arunachal Pradesh Statehood Act 1986 should be immediately reviewed and amended then be constitutionally placed in Article 371(A) instead of Article 371(H) that will give status to Arunachal at par with the states of Nagaland and Mizoram.

In his address, Vice President, APCC, Minkir Lollen called the new Citizenship Bill a handiwork of the RSS to push ahead its ideology of converting non-Hindu dominated areas in the country into Hindu dominated by bringing in Hindu refugees from Bangladesh.

He also raised apprehension that the Bill is introduced at a time when Arunachal is already under the threat of Chakma and Hajong refugees including Tibetans and pointed out that if implemented then indigenous tribal population will be reduced to minority.

“It is also matter of great concern that MPs Kiren Rijiju , Ninnong Ering and Mukut Mithi remained silent when the draconian Bill was placed in Parliament,” he added while pointing that as representatives of the people they should take a tough stand on the issue or else resign from their respective post for failing to fulfill the aspiration of their voters.

Lollen later appealed all political parties, NGOs, civil societies and intellectuals to support in the endeavour of both the parties in opposing the controversial Bill.

Taking a dig at the BJP government, General Secretary, PPA, Kaling Jerang alleged “it is reliably learnt that there was a Cabinet sitting on Thursday but there has been no comment from the Chief Minister on the Citizenship Bill.”

Further stating that people of the state will not accept the implementation of the Bill considering its far reaching impact on social and economic condition,  Jerang opined “now the onus lies purely on the government to take a tough stand on the issue by saying “No” to the implementation of the Bill.”

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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

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