Anti-CAB protests reach Mizoram, calls to boycott Republic Day

Guwahati, January 23, 2019:

A demonstration was held in Mizoram’s capital Aizawl to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. Apex student body of Mizoram, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (lit. Mizo Students Organization) led the protest against the Bill. Many NGOs of the state have also called for a boycott of Republic Day on January 26.

People’s Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM), the anti-corruption watchdog turned political party, has also called for a boycott of Republic Day due to concerns over the proposed Bill.

The Bill is quickly losing support in most of the states of the Northeast and dissenting voices have quickly galvanized the indigenous people of the people to take a stand. It is to be mentioned that Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga had called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh along with his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma to address concerns over the Bill.

Singh has promised to hold talks with all leaders of Northeast India to discuss the Bill, and it remains to be seen what Assam’s ‘Jatiyta Nayak’ Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s stand will be in the meeting. The Chief Minister, who had initially shown reluctance to discuss the Bill, is increasingly becoming vocal in support of the Bill.