CAA not applicable in Meghalaya because of six schedule protection: State BJP

Meghalaya BJP chief Rikman G Momin and spokesperson M Kharkrang on Friday (March 15) said that the CAA will not be applicable to the state as it is protected by the sixth schedule of the Constitution of India.

Momin said that PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have respect the sentiments of the tribal people by exempting the Sixth Schedule areas from the Citizenship Amendment Act of 2019.

"In the original Act of 1955, Sixth Schedule areas exemption was not there. This was introduced in 2019 Act by the BJP Government. BJP cares about the well-being of the tribals and so introduced this exemption".

"Such steps taken by the centre reassures the commitment of the Modi led government to uplift the lives of the tribal community through various governmental schemes," Momin said while adding "Now that Meghalaya stands exempted from CAA it is pointless for those opposing to beat around the bush but as citizens of this great nation we should all work towards it's progress and prosperity", the BJP chief added.

BJP spokesperson, M Kharkrang also shared his view on the impact of Citizenship Amendment Act in Meghalaya. "The whole state of Meghalaya probably is just one square kilometre. I am very sure that we don't have any people living in that area who will require to apply for citizenship under this amended act" said Kharkrang.

Talking about the Congress party terming CAA as a vote bank and NGOs concerns about the possible rise of illegal immigrants, the BJP spokesperson said, "This act was passed in 2019. And the prime minister is keeping his promise that he made in the last election. This act is for those who entered the state prior to December 31, 2014 so how come we will have new immigrations". 

Highlighting recent developments, Momin said that Rs 15,000 crore had been set aside to convert the two-lane Umroi to Silchar road into a four-lane route.

He urged the people of Meghalaya to vote for the BJP candidates in the next Lok Sabha elections, stressing the government's pro-people and pro-development agenda.

Momin said that Meghalaya may have greater benefits for the state if two BJP MPs were elected.