Citizenship bill: Security tightened ahead of Mizoram protests

Press Trust of India  |  Aizawl 

Security has been tightened in view of the 'Black Day' protests scheduled to be observed by the civil societies in Tuesday against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill, a senior officer said.

leaders said that 'black day' would be observed in view of the Centre's intention of passing the proposed amendment to the Citizenship Act, 1955 during the week in the Rajya Sabha.

The leaders said that stir would be intensified if the Rajya Sabha passes the amendment

The has created a furore in and kicked up a storm in the northeast. The was passed by the Lok Sabha on January 8 and has been awaiting the Rajya Sabha nod.

Indigenous people of the region are afraid that identity would be lost if the Bill was enacted. The civil societies are apprehending that the Bill would endanger the very existence of the sons of the soil -- Mizos -- as citizenship to around 1 lakh Buddhist Chakmas from would be granted.

Meanwhile, all the political parties, including the ruling Mizo (MNF) and even the state BJP unit have expressed opposition to the proposed legislation.

MNF has said that the ruling party would not hesitate to snap ties with the (NDA) and BJP-led North East (NEDA) if the Bill is passed.

also warned that the state unit of the saffron party would be dissolved if the central leadership goes ahead with the proposed amendment.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Mon, February 11 2019. 20:45 IST