Yearender: Meghalaya erupts against Citizenship Amendment Act

A Correspondent

SHILLONG: In 2019, The State saw widespread agitation against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB), now the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019 after it was passed by both Houses of Parliament on December 11.

It all began on January 8, 2019 when the North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) called for a bandh in the region to protest against the previous BJP-led NDA government.

The bandh evoked total response especially in Shillong. However, the Bill could not go through in the Rajya Sabha since the BJP and its allies then did not have the numbers in the Upper House.

But with the BJP gaining strength after the general election later in the year, the party renewed it promise to give citizenship to non-Muslims from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

This decision of the BJP to make illegal immigrants who belong to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from the three countries eligible for citizenship of India evoked massive protests against the Centre in the region in general and Meghalaya in particular.

While the Lok Sabha passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, on December 9, the bill was passed in Rajya Sabha on December 11. The Bill was enacted into law on December 12.

The agitators were also irked by the fact that the lone National People’s Party (NPP), Lok Sabha MP from Tura Agatha Sangma voted in favour of the then Bill.

All along, the NPP had vowed that it will oppose the CAB but the volte face by the party MP, upset the people of the State.

While the Lok Sabha passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, on December 9, the bill was passed in Rajya Sabha on December 11. The Bill was enacted into law on December 12.

After Shillong witnessed violence in certain parts, the district administration clamped curfew in areas under Lumdiengjri and Sadar Police Stations. The government also decided to ban mobile internet.

However, both curfew and Internet shutdown was lifted prior to the festive season much to relieve of the citizens of the State.

On December, 13 protestors of the CAA marched towards the Raj Bhavan and in the subsequent police action scores of protestors and policemen were hurt.

Meanwhile, on December 16, Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy, was asked to go on leave from the Raj Bhavan while his Nagaland counterpart RN Ravi has been appointed to take additional charge of the State.

Roy has taken leave on “medical grounds”. But the timing is suspect following his controversial statements on the current protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.

The Governor, had faced criticism for posting a controversial tweet recently.

As the opposition to the amended Citizenship Act was gaining storm, Roy had tweeted on December 13 : “Two things should never be lost sight of in the present atmosphere of controversy. 1. The country was once divided in the name of religion. 2. A democracy is NECESSARILY DIVISIVE. If you don’t want it go to North Korea.”

This tweet of his had evoked sharp criticism and demands for his recall or resignation became stronger.

The Governor has also been at the receiving end for his delay in signing the ordinance amending the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016.

Both the government and the civil society groups have been asking him to give his assent to the ordinance.

Roy was also at loggerheads with the government when he refused to give his consent to a cabinet decision to promulgate administrator’s rule in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.

Moreover, on December 19, the Meghalaya Assembly passed a resolution to urge the Centre to implement the Inner Line Permit in the state so that it gets protection from the CAA.

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