Withdrawal of Citizenship Bill demanded

A Correspondent

JORHAT, April 24: The United Indigenous Council of Assam staged protest and sit-in in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s officer, Jorhat, demanding withdrawal of the Citizenship (amendment) Bill, 2016 and submitted a memorandum to the chairman of the selection committee on Citizenship Bill, 2016 through the Deputy Commissioner of Jorhat, Narayan Konwar, said Dibya Pawan Bora, the general secretary of United Indigenous Council of Assam on Tuesday. Dibya Pawan Bora said, “As citizens of India we register our deep anxiety and distress at the proposed amendment to the Citizenship Act under consideration of the joint selection committee of Parliament, which will be highly inimical to the indigenous people of Assam as it will cause serious economic distress and identity crisis for the indigenous people of Assam.”

“At the intervention of the Supreme Court of India, the Government of Assam is engaged in updating the National Register for Citizens to include people permanently residing in Assam since March 24, 1971. The attempt of the Central government to extend citizenship beyond the cut-off date is not acceptable to the people of Assam. This attempt has again proved the step-motherly attitude towards the State of Assam as well as the region. The United Indigenous Council of Assam will not remain silent and protest against this in the greater interest of the indigenous people,” he added.