Hynniewtrep Social organization Stages sit-in strike in Shillong

A Reporter

SHILLONG: Members of the 14 pressure groups under the banner of Confederation of Hynniewtrep Social organization (CoHSO) on Thursday staged a sit-in hunger strike at the additional secretariat’s parking lot here, to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

Speaking to reporters, chairman of CoHSO Robertjune Kharjahrin said, “Despite opposition from various groups of the North-east, the JPC did not respect our sentiments. It shows that the Centre does not pay heed the federal structure of the Constitution. The Centre wants to forcefully impose the bill on the people of the region”

“India is a land of unity in diversity but the passing of the CAB in the Lok Sabha shows that the majority wants to assert its supremacy on the minuscule indigenous communities of the region,” he said. According to him, the CAB is against and in violation of the Constitution’s secular concept.

On the Union Cabinet approving amendments to Article 280 and Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, Kharjahrin said the citizens of the State welcomes any legislations, bills or schemes that is in favour of the indigenous people but it does not mean that we will remain silent on the CAB.

Stating that the CAB opposes the spirit of the Sixth Schedule, he questioned, “What if at some stage a Bangladeshi becomes the CEM of the territorial councils?.”

He said that the Sixth Schedule is meant for safeguarding the indigenous people and people welcome it but that does not mean CAB will be tolerated. “The Centre is giving with one hand but taking it away with another,” he said while cautioning that the amendments to Article 280 and Sixth Schedule to the Constitution is like renovating the territorial councils before bringing it down.

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