Manipur women vendors staged 12-hour sit-in-demonstration

Guwahati: Thousands of women vendors in Manipur staged a 12-hour sit-in-demonstration on Saturday seeking assurance from the state government that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill will not affect Manipur and other northeastern states.

The women vendors who run three markets in Manipur has taken the decision of staging protest to oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and one of the women vendor activist T. Rani said that the government should issue a written assurance to the effect that when enacted the Bill shall not affect the people of the northeastern states.

P. Saratchandra, Spokesperson of the BJP led state government said that the Citizenship Act was passed by the Centre in 1955 to save the people in some countries from religious persecutions.

A torchlight procession has also been taken out by the womenfolk in many parts of Manipur and a mass protest was held on Thursday.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, which was passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8, seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslim nationals from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India.

The Bill has triggered protests across the North Eastern region.

Earlier also 66 organisations of the MPACAB staged protest against CAB which also include All Manipur United Club Organisation (AMUCO), United Committee Manipur (UCM), Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and Manipur Muslim Welfare Organisation. Chief Minister N Biren Singh also appealed to the people not to panic over the Bill. The apprehensions of the people need to be removed first and the Centre will be urged not to let the bill impact.

It may also be mentioned that the Manipur Government is all set to give pressure for inclusion of a clause that would exempt Manipur and NE from the purview of CAB, the students’ bodies and civil society representatives are protesting against the passing of the Bill at any cost.

A large number of students and civil representatives with placards and banner opposing the Bill today staged the protest.

Also Read: Manipur News