On December 4, the Union Cabinet, decided that states where Inner Line Permit (ILP) is applicable as well as the ‘Sixth Schedule’ tribal areas in four Northeastern states will be exempt from the proposed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB), reports East Mojo. The Cabinet decision assumes significance as the beneficiaries under CAB will become Indian citizens but will not be able to settle in Arunachal, Nagaland and Mizoram.
Meanwhile, the chief adviser to the All Assam Students Union (AASU) Samujjal Bhattacharya, reacted to the decision of cabinet as an insult, reports Hindustan Times. Samujjal Bhattacharya “It is an insult to the injury of the people of Assam. We will continue to oppose it.”
Additionally, after the Union Cabinet decision the Civil society groups in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh said they will continue to protest against the “divisive” provisions of the CAB, while an influential Mizo group said they have no further concerns about the proposed law, reports Hindustan Times. Hawa Bawang, president of the All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union said, “We are opposed to the CAB. The move to exempt some areas is an attempt to divide the people of Northeast.” Bawang further said, “We are one region. Assam and AASU [All Assam Student’s Union] have sacrificed so much. The Government of India has created a situation where they are leaving one leg intact and injuring the other leg.” the president of the Naga Students Federation (NSF) Ninoto Awomi, said that the students body was happy that Nagaland has been exempted but will continue to abide by the stand of the NESO, the umbrella body of student groups in the region which has been opposed to the proposed legislation. On the other hand, Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) said it had no problems with the latest draft of the bill. “We have been assured that Mizoram is exempted. We have no concerns after the assurance,” said Vanlal Ruata, CYMA Chief.