ITANAGAR, May 24:The opposition parties today took a dig at Chief Minister Pema Khandu after he reportedly said that “Arunachal Pradesh does not need to worry about the issue" of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

“Since Arunachal Pradesh is protected under the BEFR (Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation) of 1873, which does not allow even Indian citizens to enter the state without an Inner Line Permit, Arunachal does not need to worry about the issue,” Khandu said on the sidelines of an event at Jollang village here on Wednesday.

Describing the CM’s statement as “ridiculous” and “eyewash”, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) said, the statement has been made “to divert the main issue of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016”. Asserting that Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 and Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) of 1873 are two different entities, the APCC contended that Khandu has forgotten that he already had “weakened” BEFR of 1873 by proposing exemption of PAP (Protected Area Permit). “He was the person who approached Ministry of Home Affairs for exemption of PAP in border areas of the state for foreign tourists.

Accordingly, MoH shown interest in exemption of PAP of which APCC has strongly opposed to save the sovereignty of the State in particular and country in general .Hence, his statement of saving the state through BEFR of 1873 is doubtful and questionable, it said.

Further his tall claim of ‘citizen of India cannot enter Arunachal Pradesh without ILP’ is also unconvincing when Chakma, Hajong and Tibetans being foreigner are enjoying all the liberty in our state without ILP, the APCC added. 

Referring to Meghalaya and Assam Government’ s opposition to the Bill,  the Congress pointed that the Pema Khandu government did not dare to insist the JPC to visit Arunachal.

The APCC further demanded the government to call for all party meeting to discuss the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 issue.

Reacting on the statement of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, the People’s Party of Arunachal today  called  it a callous attitude towards one of the most controversial Bills .

In its press communiqué, PPA stated, the Chief Minister  instead should discuss the issue in the Assembly; adopt a strong resolution saying no to the Bill. The government should come out with a tough legislation on Chakma- Hajong and Tibetan refugees and illegal migrants with provision of severe penalty for those who harbour refugees and illegal migrants.

It is unfortunate, while the Chief Ministers of the neighbouring states like Assam, Meghalaya and even Bihar can vociferously resist the implementation of the Bill in the region; the Chief Minister of Arunachal gives a very casual approach towards it. The Chief Minister of the state must know that the Bill is as dangerous as a spark that could burn down the entire North East region if neglected, asserted  PPA in its release.

 

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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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