NESO opposes Citizenship Bill

GUWAHATI: The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), an umbrella organisation of student bodies of the region, has opposed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 in its entirety, arguing that the region would not take additional burden of illegal migrants belonging to any religion.

The organisation today also asked the Union Government to take up the issue of adequate protection to religious minorities within Bangladesh, with the neighbouring country.

Addressing the media here, NESO advisor Samujjal Bhattacharyya said that since Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised Bangladesh for its ‘good governance’ and it is also a friendly country for India, the Centre should ask Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of the people facing religious persecution there.

Bhattacharyya also rapped the political parties of the State for not putting up a united front against the Bill, which he said would pose a threat to the existence of indigenous people in Assam and the Northeast.

NESO has written to Dr Satya Pal Singh, chairman, Joint Committee for the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016, expressing its dismay and displeasure for bringing the proposed Bill.

“We would not allow the Northeast to become a dumping ground for the illegal migrants on any pretext,” stated Sinam Prakash Singh, secretary general of NESO.