Arunachal Government asks Centre to Exempt State from Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB)

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh government has requested the Centre to exempt the tribal State from the purview of the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), Chief Minister Pema Khandu informed the State Assembly on Tuesday.

Replying to a question raised in the House during Question Hour by Congress MLA Ninong Ering on steps taken to protect the interest of the indigenous tribal population if the controversial bill is imposed, Khandu said that the State Government would appeal the Centre not to impose the bill as it would have strong ramification.

“The Lok Sabha passed the bill on January 8 this year but it was not tabled in the Rajya Sabha. I along with Manipur chief minister went to Delhi to apprise the then Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the probable impact of the bill which might dilute the rights of the indigenous people of North East,” Khandu said adding, “If the Centre wants to bring the bill again, we will oppose it jointly by taking into confidence all the chief ministers of the region.

Responding to another supplementary from NPP member Mutchu Mithi, Khandu made it clear that there would be no dilution in the inner line permit system in the State.

“Arunachal is protected by the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act of 1873 and Chin Hill Regulations Act, 1896, which are enough to protect the rights of the tribal people,” the chief minister added while allaying concern on the CAB.

He said, the State Government had already made its stand clear to the Centre on the Citizenship Bill citing the ugly scene the state capital witnessed during February this year over the Permanent Residence Certificate issue.

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