Manipur govt calls for All Political Party meet on January 28
Newmai News Network
Imphal | January 23
Even as protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is intensifying in the state capital Imphal, the Biren Singh government has decided to call an all political party meeting on January 28. Sources said that all the political parties in Manipur have been invited by the State government to the January 28 meeting to discuss the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
This move of the Manipur government has come amid heightening protest in various pockets in the valley districts of Manipur.
Meanwhile, many organisations including college several college student bodies have announced to boycott the Republic Day celebration.
Two days ago, Manipur Chief Minister, N Biren Singh had said that “there is no change” in his government's stand in pressing the Centre to give assent to Manipur People Bill, 2018 before the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016 becomes an Act. Biren had also said that the State Government “understands the urgent need” for a mechanism to protect the identity of indigenous people of the State.
The passing of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha has triggered charged situation in Manipur as opposition political parties and civil society organisations are attacking the BJP led governments, both at the Centre and in Manipur. It is likely that Manipur will witness intense agitations in the days to come against the passing of the Bill as more and more civil society organisations are coming out condemning the act of the government with regard to the Bill.
The All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO) said that it “is all set to launch series of agitation in collaboration with several North East based organizations if the Bill is passed in the Rajya Sabha”. According to the AMUCO, it has been keeping in touch with many organizations from outside Manipur to protest against the Bill.
Earlier, the United Naga Council (UNC) had also made it clear regarding its opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. The UNC, in its ‘presidential council meeting’ held on January 15 at its office in Tahamzam (Senapati), had strongly opposed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.