Newmai News Network
Shillong | December 5
The Garo Students’ Union (GSU) has asked the Central government led by the BJP to lay off the controversial CAB, while opining that the move can bring about an existential threat to the "indigenous tribes" of the North East.
The GSU, as part of the North East Students’ Organization (NESO) has been vehemently opposing the implementation of CAB and called the move of the BJP cabinet as the behavior of a juggernaut without care or contemplation for the future and identity of the indigenous peoples of the North East.
“The Government of India seems fixated on the idea of Hindustan and creating a pan-Hindu region in North East as the future strategy for political gains and is not the least bit interested in the dangerous consequences,” alleged GSU president, Tengsak Momin.
“On one hand, the Central Government says CAB will not affect the Sixth Schedule controlled areas and ILP implemented areas in the North eastern states while states like Tripura and Assam will be basically left out because a large portion of these two states are not under the jurisdiction of the Sixth Schedule. Even Garo Hills, largely an area under Sixth Schedule has certain portions not covered by it especially the areas that fall under the Mouza No. VI and the problem is even confusing and confounded where areas under the Sixth Schedule like Tura, Baghmara, Simsanggre and Resu townships have Municipal Boards which is a dilution of the provisions of the Sixth Schedule,” he added.
“Does this mean that foreigners belonging to six religions from three countries who have entered on or after December 31, 2014 (notification by Central Government) will be counted as citizens of India but in the North East they will have no right to alienate our lands, pursue political ambitions and interfere in legislation procedures? The straight answer is no because even illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have successfully participated in our democratic elections,” added the GSU leader.
The GSU further questioned the implementation of NRC when there is no mechanism for deportation to their respective countries.
