CoMSO to stage 2-day anti-CAB protest

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 17, 2019

SHILLONG: The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organization (CoMSO) has announced a two-day protest as part of the North-east wide mass agitation called by the North East Forum for Indigenous People (NEFIP) against the Centre’s Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB). 

In a statement issued here, secretary of the CoMSO Roypar Synrem said, “We appeal to the people of the state for their support and cooperation during the two-day peaceful protest from November 18.” The CoMSO is part of the NEFIP.   

The central executive committee (CEC) of NEFIP on Sunday has resolved to resume the mass agitation from Monday to protest against CAB and also the authoritative attitude of the government of India. 

President of Forum Ningthouja Lancha said that the forum has decided to organize and design the mode of agitation and it is agreed that the Federating State Organizations should own the initiative according to the local situation and ground realities. 

“We have decided to bring an understanding among different likeminded social organizations to oppose the Bill collectively. We would also request all the MPs and the members of the respective state legislative assemblies of the North East region to oppose the said Bill,” he said. 

He said the Federating State Organizations of NEFIP since the introduction and passing of the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 on the January 8, have been incessantly opposing the Bill which challenges the very existence of the Indigenous People of the North Eastern Region.

The fourm had also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 9 and also to the chief ministers of the NE states on October 3, appraising therein the possible devastative effects it may cause, if enacted, to the entire region. 

“In spite of giving any heed to our incessant protests and prayer in the form of memorandum, the Bill is going to be introduced in the forthcoming Winter Session of the Parliament undermining the aspirations and legitimate rights of the Indigenes of the region,” Lancha said. 

Stating that to recognize such illegal immigrants as ‘natural persons’ who can acquire Indian Citizenship on the basis religious Identity runs antithetical to the Constitution, he said, “NEFIP is of the opinion that the eligibility criterion to grant citizenship to these illegal migrants besides being unreasonable and unlawful is genocidal for the Indigenous of the Region.” 

The president of the forum further stated that giving shelter and providing citizenship to the so called religiously prosecuted migrants who are in fact Economic Labours shall adversely prosecute the Indigenous population of the region. 

“Hence, NEFIP is affirmed of the fact that accepting the legalization of CAB and submitting to the Genocidal Act is suicidal and will lead to total extinction of the Indigenous population of the entire North East,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the Forum also appeal to the people of the region to study, support and struggle for the cause.