ITANAGAR, Nov 2: Arunachal Civil Society (ACS) has expressed strong resentment over central government’s decision to re-introduce the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in the coming winter session of parliament that is expected to start from November 18 next.
ACS, while taking strong exception to this move has said that if the bill ultimately becomes law, it would  definitely affect Arunachal Pradesh in a negative manner since it will change its entire  demography where 98% comprises of indigenous populace. Reminding of the already grim scenario, it said that more than a lakh of Chakma, Hajong and Tibetan as well as other Non-APST who are mostly Hindus as well as Buddhists by religion have settled mostly in Namsai, Changalng, Papum Pare, Tawang, West Kameng  and  Upper Siang districts since last many decades which is also not unknown to the political parties. Under such scenario, it is obvious that indigenous citizens are suffering from a fear psychosis of being outnumbered by the outsiders, ACS pointed. We want to remind the government that there are no proper provisions in Article 371(H) through which we can protect ourselves, our land, water and other resources and the only hope is Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, it added.
CAB will directly wipe-out the Assam Accord 1985 and the recent resolution of state government on Permanent Residential Certificate to Non-APST in the state, ACS opined.
It will also automatically entitle the Non-APSTs settled in Arunachal Pradesh to avail PRCs because as per the proposed provisions  of CAB, an immigrant has to be residing in the country for at least 6 years, whereas in Arunachal there are already thousands of Non-APSTs  residing for the last 50 years, ACS expressed apprehension.
In this context, it has appealed the state government to strongly oppose the bill and clarify its stand in the proposed all-party meeting to be held on November 4 next. If not, it would resort to mass democratic movement against CAB along with other CBOs.

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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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