Newmai News Network
Aizawl | January 22
A day after major civil society organizations and student bodies in Mizoram had announced to boycott the coming Republic Day celebration, People’s Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) on January 22 decided to boycott the Republic Day functions to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
A statement issued by the anti-corruption watchdog turned political party said a meeting of the party office bearers decided to boycott the Republic Day to demonstrate its strong opposition to the Bill. Black flags will be hoisted at the party offices as part of protest against the Bill, the statement said. Terming the Bill as “dangerous,” the party also said that it would write to the Rajya Sabha chairman to ensure that the Bill is not passed in the house.
Meanwhile, officials said on Tuesday that the state government would go ahead with the Republic Day celebrations despite the boycott call given by civil society groups and PRISM. Hectic preparations are on and security would be tightened across the state on R-Day to avoid untoward incidents, a police officer said.
Mizoram Pradesh Youth Congress Committee (MPYCC) also expressed disappointment over the passing of the Bill by the Lok Sabha on January 8.
A statement issued by the youth wing said the state Congress was the first political party in the state to oppose amendment to the Citizenship Act, 1955.
It said that Lal Thanhawla led Congress government had passed a resolution in the state legislature opposing the proposed legislation last year.
Meanwhile, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), the state’s apex student body has decided to stage a rally on Wednesday to protest against the Bill.
The MZP said that the student body is strongly opposed to the propose legislation "because many Chakma foreigners from neighbouring Bangladesh, who currently illegally settled in Mizoram would be granted Indian citizenship because of the Bill." The student body added by saying, “It is dangerous as the indigenous people would be socially and religiously assimilated if the Citizenship Bill is enacted and immigrants are given citizenship."
It also said that the student body will continue to oppose the Bill till it is scrapped.
