ARUNACHAL PRADESH: PPA DEMANDS ALL-PARTY MEETING OR SPECIAL HOUSE SESSION ON BILL ISSUE

The government is at the work of its people

The People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) today demanded immediate convening of an all-party meeting or a special Assembly session to discuss about the issue of contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

PPA president Kahfa Bengia, while reiterating that PPA supports the movement launched by the students’ organisation, claimed that excepting Arunachal Pradesh Govt, every state government in the region who would be affected by this bill has been protesting the same.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and MP, Arunachal West Kiren Rijiju, also the MoS for Home, should show a strong stand on the issue rather they are keeping silence. Both should have strong stand on the issue as Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Meghalaya Assembly headed by CM Conrad K Sangma had already taken a stand on this.

Bengia said that the State Government either convene an all-party meeting or a special Assembly session to discuss the matter and take a stand against the citizenship bill.

Talking about the controversial bill, he said that Government of India should think of it twice as it would be a dangerous situation for the region and the state as well. We should think of the future of our state, its resources and land or a time will come when we may become minority in our own land. He appealed the State Govt to protest the bill in the greater interest of the state and its people.

The PPA president said that the party will organize awareness programme and rally in different district headquarters for awareness of the masses in near future if the State Govt fail to take a tough stand.

PPA secretary general Kaling Jerang said it is a political issue and its solution is also political and that it should be resolved through Parliament and State Govt should also be very vocal. CM Khandu should clear the stand of Arunachal as Assam and Meghalaya have already done.

Meanwhile, Khandu while replying to a query from media on the issue at the sidelines of a function at Jully village, said that since Arunachal Pradesh is protected with many Acts like BEFR Act 1873 we need not to worry much.

Arunachal Pradesh having special act is guided by special Act and the proposed amendment bill is not very much concerning in respect of our state. We have already adopted resolution with regard to Chakma-Hajong issue and a tough stand was taken by the State Assembly, Khandu added.