Protest against Citizenship Bill in Manipur

A mass protest against the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was held on the roads of Manipur for the second day Thursday and security forces burst tear gas shells at a place near here to disperse protestors, officials said.

However, no one was injured in the incident.

The protests are being held in response to the call by Manipur People Against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, who have urged people to continue it till the contentious legislation is withdrawn.

The bill was passed by Lok Sabha on January 8 and is awaiting the nod of Rajya Sabha.

Volunteers, mostly women, came out in large numbers and sat on Imphal-Moreh NH-102 at Singjamei, Kakwa, Uripok in Imphal West district, causing huge traffic snarls during the day.

At Naorem Leikai in Imphal West district, about 11 km from here, security forces resorted to bursting tear gas shells to disperse the protesters, the officials said.

Human chains were formed at Thoubal Bazaar in Thoubal district to register protest against the bill.

Congress leader O Joy said the bill is not only communal in nature but also infringes on the secular principles of the Constitution.

A protester Ashakiran of Singjamei Apunba Lup, an apex body of 32 organisations, said "The bill, if passed, will definitely swallow up all the indigenous population of the northeast region."
She said, "The people cannot accept the bill under any circumstances and will continue their agitation till the bill is withdrawn."