AIZAWL, Jan 22 - A day after major civil society organisations and student bodies in Mizoram had announced to boycott the coming Republic Day celebration, People�s Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) on Tuesday decided to boycott the R-Day functions to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB).
A statement issued by the anti-corruption watchdog turned political party said a meeting of the party office bearers today decided to boycott the R-Day to demonstrate its strong opposition to the Bill. Black flags will be hoisted at the party offices as part of the protest against the Bill, the statement said. Terming the Bill as �dangerous,� the party also said that it would write to the Rajya Sabha chairman to ensure that the Bill is not passed in the house.
Meanwhile, officials said on Tuesday that the State Government would go ahead with the Republic Day celebrations despite the boycott call given by civil society groups and PRISM. Hectic preparations are on and security would be tightened across the State on R-Day to avoid untoward incidents, a police officer said.
Mizoram Pradesh Youth Congress Committee (MPYCC) also expressed disappointment over the passing of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill by the Lok Sabha on January 8. It said that Lal Thanhawla-led Congress Government had passed a resolution in the State Assembly opposing the proposed legislation last year.
Meanwhile, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), the State�s apex student body, has decided to stage a rally on Wednesday to protest against the CAB.
The MZP said that the student body is strongly opposed to the proposed legislation �because many Chakma foreigners from neighbouring Bangladesh, who currently are illegally settled in Mizoram would be granted Indian citizenship because of the Bill�. It also said that the student body will continue to oppose the Bill till it is scrapped.
