Modi reaches out to north-east on citizenship issue
PM launches projects in Assam, Arunachal, Tripura
GUWAHATI/AGARTALA/CHANGSARI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the people of Assam and other north-eastern states on Saturday that they would not be disadvantaged by the citizenship bill, which aims to grant citizenship rights to non-Muslim minorities from three neighbouring countries – among his first public statements on an issue that has roiled the region.
The Prime Minister’s comments came in a speech in Guwahati, Assam; the Prime Minister also addressed rallies in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh and Agartala, Tripura. On Friday, in Guwahati, the Prime Minister’s cavalcade was met by hundreds of black-flag-waving protesters who signalled their opposition to the proposed law.
“People who ruined this country are now spreading lies… about the bill for their own benefit. We need to be wary of them,” Modi said.
“It is a national commitment to the people of the north-east that they will not be harmed in any way and citizenship will only be granted after due investigation and recommendation of the state governments,” he said.
Protests have broken out in north-eastern states over the citizenship bill amid concern that the legislation could dilute local and indigenous identity by accelerating demographic change. The bill provides that “persons belonging to minority communities, namely, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan” shall not be considered illegal migrants.
The PM assured his Assamese audience that citizenship would be granted to the people from the three neighbouring countries only after they are vetted by the state government and after a recommendation by the latter.
BEIJING: China on Saturday “firmly opposed” Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that it has never recognised the sensitive border state and the Indian leadership should refrain from any action that may “complicate the boundary question”.
PM on Modi Saturday inaugurated and laid foundation stone of projects in Arunachal Pradesh worth over ~4,000 crore and said his government was giving a lot of importance to improve connectivity in the border state.
Modi said his government was giving importance to improve the highway, railway, airway and power situation in Arunachal Pradesh, which was neglected by the previous governments.
In New Delhi, Union ministry of external affairs reacted sharply to China’s remarks, saying that the state of Arunachal Pradesh was an “integral and inalienable part” of India. “Indian leaders visit Arunachal Pradesh from time to time, as they visit other parts of India. This consistent position has been conveyed to the Chinese side on several occasions,” the MEA spokesperson said in a statement.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, “China’s position on the China-India boundary question is consistent and clear-cut. The Chinese government has never recognised the so-called ‘Arunachal Pradesh’ and is firmly opposed to the Indian leader’s visit to the East Section of the China-India boundary.” “China urges the Indian side to bear in mind the common interests of the two countries, respect the interests and concerns of the Chinese side... and refrain from any action that may lead to the escalation of disputes or complicate the boundary question,” she said responding to a question on PM Modi’s visit to the state.