Shillong, Dec 19: The opposition Congress on Thursday asked the state government to pass a resolution for repealing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019.

While supporting the ILP resolution during the special Assembly session, Leader of Opposition, Mukul Sangma sought categorical assurance of the chief minister, Conrad K Sangma to call another special session to pass a resolution to repeal the amended Citizenship Act.

He said that the North East Students’ Organization (NESO), a conglomerate of different organizations from the region, has gone to the Supreme Court seeking repeal of the CAA.

According to him, foreigners who are here and eligible under the Act, can also apply for citizenship elsewhere.

Referring to the decision of the Centre to exempt states with ILP and Sixth Schedule, Mukul said, “This whole exercise of the government of India was designed to create complacency and divide the North East.”

Umroi legislator, George B. Lyngdoh said the passing of the CAA reflects the clear intention of the NDA government at the Centre to flood the North East region with illegal immigrants.

“In the North East, all illegal immigrants are from Bangladesh. Should not the Government of India consult with the Government of Bangladesh (before passing the CAA)?” he asked.

According to him, the Bangladesh foreign minister had even requested for the list of Bangladeshi nationals to be repatriated from India.

“Do we need the CAA is a big question. If Bangladesh is willing to accept back its own people is it not for the government of India to send the list to the Bangladesh? From the resolution (on ILP), it seems that we accept the CAA, but I say in totality we should reject the CAA,” Lyngdoh said.

“We were only given lollipop by saying that the CAA will not be applicable in Sixth Schedule area of the state,” he added.

Earlier, East Shillong MLA, Ampareen Lyngdoh said there is need to discuss the CAA in the House. She said the refugees from the three countries after attaining citizenship will steal livelihood of the people adding “they will also marry our ladies and assumes into our culture.”

With Meghalaya sharing a long international border with Bangladesh, Ampareen said that the border is not only porous but are poorly manned. “In view of this, I urge the CM to shoot a special letter to the Centre for increasing the booths at the border,” she said.

Rambrai-Jyrngam MLA, Kimfa S Marbañiang asked the state government to resolve the inter-state border before the Centre implement the CAA.

Lone KHNAM legislator, Adelbert Nongrum said that the CAA is nothing but a stampede on the rights of the indigenous tribals.

The chief minister, Conrad K Sangma however in his reply did not give any assurance saying, “This (issue) is not part of the discussion.”

He also said that the reply on the list of Bangladeshis as sought by the Bangladesh foreign minister is not with the state government.

“There are only two applications that have been given to us but right now both the applications are invalid because Meghalaya has been exempted. Therefore there is no question of them applying,” he said.

While the Government of India tries to implement the CAA, Conrad said the state government and Deputy Commissioner has a very important role to play as none of the applications can move forward without ensuring that the deputy commissioner gives her/his consent.

“Therefore the state government plays a very important role in that aspect. Therefore, it is very important for us to understand the difference between the word exemption, settlement and protection. Even though 97 per cent has been exempted from the CAA, we are working towards 100 percent and hoping to achieve it,” the chief minister said.