Felix recommends putting clauses in CAB to protect Arunachal
Staff Reporter
RONO HILLS, Nov 7: Expressing apprehension that the Centre may pass the citizenship amendment bill (CAB), Home Minister Bamang Felix said “it is necessary to establish clauses to protect the tribal society of Arunachal Pradesh.”
Addressing students and faculty members of Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) during the inaugural function of the university’s 20th Uni-Fest celebration here, Felix pointed out that there are only two MPs representing Arunachal at the Centre, and that their pleas may fall on deaf ears “no matter how much we shout.”
He said he has held several meetings with various stakeholders, including community-based organisations, civil society groups and student organisations, on the matter.
“Our consultation meetings were held to see to it that if the CAB is implemented, there must be some clauses established to protect the tribal society of Arunachal Pradesh,” the HM said, and urged the student community to be aware of the implications of the CAB before forming judgments on it.
“The original Citizenship Act, 1955, has been amended five times, and this would be the sixth time, if implemented. Before you oppose the CAB, please go through the principal act of the Citizenship Act, and check how many clauses are getting amended and how would the amendments affect the state,” Felix said.
On the Naga peace talks, he said the government of India has already agreed to take all the stakeholders, such as the governments of Arunachal, Manipur and Assam, together before declaring any judgment on it.
Felix also commented on the tension prevailing in Namsai, and called on people not to drag communities into personal fights.
“A fight between individuals has turned communal. However, both the Adis and the Khamptis are educated and sensible, and the situation is
returning to normal,” he said.
Congratulating the RGU Students’ Union (RGUSU) for organising the Uni-Fest, the home minister also urged everyone to support the Hamara Arunachal Abhiyan.
Felix assured to look into the memorandum submitted by RGUSU president Dopum Sonam regarding establishment of a new office for the university’s security cell; installation of CCTV cameras in the university campus; provision of security vehicles for quick response during emergencies; and establishment of a cyber-security cell.
The HM assured to initiate action in the matter of establishing a security cell near the university’s campus gate by this financial year.
RGU Vice-Chancellor Prof Saket Khushwaha said “such events, apart from academic activities, are necessary to build character of the students.” He also advised the teachers to “boost the morale of the students, apart from giving academic lectures.”
Tali MLA and an alumnus of the university, Jikke Taku, accompanied the home minister.
Earlier, RGU’s Students’ Welfare Dean, Prof Sampan Tangjang, informed that this year’s Uni-Fest “is being organised with the theme ‘Towards digitalization’, and the departments have been divided into four groups – Smart Class, Cashless, Wifi and 4G.”
The four-day event will feature literary, sports and cultural competitions among the four houses.
