Northeast Desk, 12th March: The Voice of the Peoples’ Party (VPP) expressed its opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) set to be implemented in certain areas of Meghalaya that are not under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. VPP chief Ardent Basaiawmoit stated that such imposition from Delhi goes against the sentiments of the people of Meghalaya, emphasizing their vehement opposition to the move.
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which administers tribal areas in four northeastern states, including Meghalaya, provides for the autonomous administration of certain tribal areas. Despite most of Meghalaya being under the Sixth Schedule, concerns persist over the implementation of the CAA in non-Sixth Schedule areas.
In response to the impending implementation, citizen groups and civil society organizations are slated to convene meetings in Shillong on Tuesday to strategize their protest against the CAA.
The CAA, passed in December 2019 by the Parliament, grants Indian nationality to individuals from specific religious communities in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014. Despite assurances from Chief Minister Conrad Sangma that most areas of Meghalaya are exempted from the CAA due to their Sixth Schedule status, concerns linger over its potential impact on identity and livelihood in the region.
Sangma, who also heads the National People’s Party (NPP), highlighted the need for an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to restrict the entry of outsiders into the state, expressing concern over the possible spillover effect of the CAA in Meghalaya. The state government had previously passed a resolution to extend the ILP to Meghalaya in December 2019, aiming to regulate inward travel into protected areas for a limited period.
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