CAB Not Tabled in RS: NE People Back to Normal

| SANJOO THANGJAM, IMPHAL - 13 Feb 2019

CAB Not Tabled in RS: NE People Back to Normal

By Sanjoo Thangjam, Imphal Correspondent, IOP

Imphal, February 13, 2019; The contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016 which rocks the entire North Eastern region could not be tabled in the Rajya Sabha today as the interim Budget session of the RS adjourned sine die in view of the numerous controversies surrounding the session and the ruckus created by the opposition parties.

The Lok Sabha had passed the bill last month but it was not ratified by the Rajya Sabha before the end of its last session before the election, on Wednesday.

Now, normalcy has been finally restored not only in the trouble torn state of Manipur, but also in the entire north east region, and the anti CAB protestors showed sign of relieve.

CAB Protesters in northeast claimed victory on Wednesday after the Citizenship Amendment Bill lapsed before it could be ratified by the parliament.

Last day of the session which began on January 31, 2019 was adjourned twice and ended and 12:50 this afternoon without taking up the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill, which is aimed at providing Citizenship to the Hindus and members of other non-Muslim minority communities from neighbouring Muslim countries in India.

The Citizenship Amendment Bill had incited exceptional opposition in the entire northeastern states where for years residents have complained that migrants from Bangladesh are a burden on society.

For days, protesters have taken to the streets, bringing chaos to several cities in the region. Authorities have responded with curfews and blocks on broadcasters in an attempt to quell the unrest.

The chief minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh asserted that the CAB 2016 was not passed in the Rajya Sabha because of the people’s support. On the telephonic conversation with the local cable TV network ISTV, the chief minister appealed to the people of Manipur to focus now on the development of the state.

Soon after the adjournment of the Rajya Sabha, curfew imposed in the two districts of Imphal was relaxed by the district administration and conglomerate of civil society organizations MANPAC and PAM called off the agitation.

However, till afternoon traffic along the Imphal city remain deserted as almost all people were still confuse on whether the agitation has been suspended or not besides people have no idea of the curfew relaxation until late hour as data internet remained shut till late hours.

Mass protests staged at various places by blocking roads were too ended soon after organizers announced the news. Moreover, both the MANPAC and the PAM which has been spearheading the mass agitations seem to be not completely calm with the lapses of the Bill as it was not tabled at the Rajya Sabha.

However, both the bodies express trepidation that the government of India may use some other method to introduce similar act by passing an ordinance by the Union cabinet if they feel the Bill as an important instrument of coming back to power in the next Lok Sabha.

Photo Courtesy – Deccan Herald / Guwahati Plus / Odisha TV / News18