'National interest important while tweaking citizenship Act'

Former Nepal prime minister Jhalanath Khanal asserted that national interest should not be ignored while amending the Citizenship Amendment Bill.

Stressing that the law should be amended as per the requirements of the people, Khanal said, "No citizen of Nepal shall be deprived of citizenship and no criteria regarding it shall be violated," Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) reported.

Khanal made the comments at a programme organised by an Agitation Coordination Committee. Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist-Leninist) general secretary CP Mainali underscored that the country's sovereignty and nationality could be compromised if the Act was amended without any considerations.

The Nepal Government recently presented a Bill to amend the country's Citizenship Act- 2006 and the Agitation Coordination Committee has asked the government to grant Nepali citizenship to foreigners after careful consideration.

The Citizenship Amendment Bill states that foreign nationals who meet the criteria may apply for Nepali citizenship under certain categories.

The committee has argued the need for a compulsory work permit for the foreigners, who are coming to Nepal for employment opportunities, in an effort to tackle illegal immigration.