SHILLONG, Nov 21 - The State unit of the BJP today opposed the Centre�s proposed move to enact the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill while exempting States that implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system. There have been unconfirmed reports that the citizenship Bill would not be applicable in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram as the ILP is in operation in these three States.
Stating that the move is �not a good gesture,� State BJP general secretary Bashailang Khoongwir said that the proposed legislation would divide the tribal people of the region.
He added the Bill clubs Meghalaya with the larger States of the country, but it shares similar demographic and economic profile as the three States that implement the ILP system.
The BJP general secretary said that Meghalaya still needs protection like the three States and cannot be clubbed with the larger States of the country.
