Indigenous groups extend support to petition filed against CAA

Our Correspondent
Diphu, Nov. 19 (EMN): The indigenous ethnic groups of Assam has extended support to the petition filed in the Supreme Court of India by the Asom Sanmilita Mahasangh for the protection of the rights of the indigenous people of Assam.

Bijoy Bey, president of Kari Students’ Association; Bipul Tisso, general secretary of Kari Students and Youth Council; Thongthang Touthang, president Kuki National Assembly; Lengin Singson, president of Kuki Students’ Organisation ; Dhiraj Diphusa, president of Dimasa Students’ Union; and Jaybabu Singh, and general secretary of Assam Meitei Apunba Lup have associated themselves as co-petitioners in the Matiur Rahma vs Government of India petition filed against the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 which is under consideration in the Supreme Court, said Khorsing Teron, convenor of Hills Tribal League, during a press conference held at Karbi Students’ Association office here on Saturday.

Teron also said the base year for identification of illegal immigrants must be 1951 and no other date and year will be accepted.

‘It is affirmed the organisation have been associated as a co-petitioner in the case filed by the Mahasangh for the protection of the rights of the indigenous people of Assam according to the United Nation Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRP) 2007 and the base year for defining the indigenous people must be 1826. We have faith in the Supreme Court and hope that the five-member Constitutional Bench would pass judgment in favor of the protection of the rights of the indigenous people of Assam according to the Constitution of India and based on International law. If the Honourable Supreme Court fails to do so, the mentioned organisations’ leaders shall be compelled to go to the United Nations for justice,’ he said.

The press conference was attended by Saising Rongpi, Chairman HTL; Thongthang Touthang, president Kuki National Assembly; Thangsing Timung, president KSA, Jevon Bey, general  secretary KSYC and Beaulet Beypi; president, Karbi Women Justice and Forum.