Citizenship (Amendment) Bill Not to Affect Rights of Indigenous People: Amit Shah

Guwahati, September 9, 2019:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday sought to allay the fears of the people over the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill during the fourth Convention of the Northeast Democratic Alliance (NEDA) held today in Guwahati.

Addressing Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma's apprehensions regarding the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, Shah said, "The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill will not violate Article 371 that is applicable in the Northeast. In fact, there is no connection between Articles 370 (which was revoked) and 371 apart from the fact that they are in close proximity in the Constitution. No one can touch Article 371 in the Northeast."

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Shah also said that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill will not affect any rights of the indigenous people, nor will it affect the Inner Line Permit (ILP).

"The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill that we have envisioned sets 31 December, 2014, as the cutoff date, and no one who has arrived after that date will not be given Citizenship", he added.

Shah accused the Congress party of inciting insurgent groups, and added to the problem of insurgency. "Congress stalled the progress of the Northeast", Shah said.

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