Newmai News Network
Aizawl | February 10
Mizoram’s apex student body, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) has strongly slammed the state government of Mizoram over the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB), accusing the latter of not taking "massive efforts" to oppose the Bill.
MZP president L Ramdinliana Renthlei on Sunday said that the state government is not giving utmost concern about the Bill at a time when civil society organizations in the state are raising strong voices against the proposed legislation.
He expressed disappointment over the alleged government's laxity to call a meeting involving all political parties and stakeholders over the Bill.
“The government is not giving sincere concern about the Citizenship Amendment Bill. We are surprised that the state government has not called a meeting over the Bill till today despite massive protest from student bodies and other civil society groups in Mizoram and Northeast region,” Renthlei said.
Renthlei then claimed that Chief Minister Zoramthanga had promised them to take a united stand against the proposed legislation when they met him before the Republic Day.
“While the Bill is about to be tabled in Rajya Sabha this week, we are very disappointed because the state government, not only failed to convene a meeting, but it also did not take massive efforts to oppose the Bill,” he said.
Renthlei reiterated that the Bill, if enacted, would be harmful for a small state like Mizoram, where there are large numbers of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
He said that the MZP under the initiative of Northeast Students’ Organisation (NESO) had staged massive protests against the Bill to ensure that it is revoked.
The MZP president also said that the student body will continue to oppose the Bill to ensure that it is defeated in the Rajya Sabha and asked the people of the state to extend support to the student body.