IMPHAL, Jan 25 - Five major civil society organisations in Manipur have announced boycott of the Republic Day celebrations to be held tomorrow in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
Leaders of the United Committee Manipur, All Manipur United Club Organisation (AMUCO), Committee of Civil Societies Kangleipak, Ethno Heritage Council or Hericoun and League of Indigenous People Upliftment or Lipul made the announcement at a press conference here today.
They also stated that a joint meeting of all civil societies in Manipur would be held on January 28 to discuss the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and issues arising out of it in the State.
The passage of the Bill in the Lok Sabha at a time when the indigenous people were urging the Centre to protect them, is nothing but a plan to wipe out the indigenous population of Manipur and the North East, AMUCO president Ph Deban alleged.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Biren Singh chaired a meeting of ministers and MLAs here today, which resolved to urge the Centre to include a proviso in the Bill or the rules to be framed thereunder to the effect that the consent of the State Government would be required before granting citizenship to any person. It also resolved to appeal for Presidential assent to the Manipur People Bill, 2018, at the earliest.
It may be mentioned here that Chief Minister N Biren Singh has already invited leaders of all political parties in the State to attend a meeting to discuss the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and other related issues here on January 28.
Earlier, the college students� unions in Manipur resolved not to participate in the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 in protest against the Bill. Representatives of the college students� unions also appealed to the people of Manipur and the North East to unite and work collectively against the Citizenship Bill.
