Civil organisations boycott Republic Day celebration

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, January 25, 2019: United Committee Manipur, All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation, Committee of Civil Society Kangleipak, Ethno Heritage Council and League of Indigenous People Upliftment today declared boycott of the Republic Day celebration in Manipur and North East demanding withdrawal of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

The boycott was declared during a press conference held at United Committee Manipur office in Imphal.

President of UCM Sunil Karam said the passing of the bill in Lok Sabha has created social unrest in the North East and Manipur.

“Even though people of the region strongly oppose the bill, it was passed. The bill should be immediately withdrawn,” he added.

Sunil said, “The government of India regularly tries to eradicate the indigenous group of the North East through various policies. The bill is one of the policies. We oppose the bill and boycott the republic Day celebration in Manipur and in the North East region.

He appealed the local clubs and organisations to organise protest rallies in the localities on the Republic Day.

A convention of various civil society organisations in the state will be held at Sangai Hall of Hotel Imphal on January 28 to create a forum and decide strategies of agitations to be taken up in demanding withdrawal of the citizenship bill, said the civil organisation representatives in the press meet.

The government of India does not alter its decision even if the entire North East strongly opposes the bill. It is befooling the people saying that immigrants will not be allowed to settle in the country without the consent of state, president of Ethno Heritage Council, L. Ratan.