Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to be tabled in Rajya Sabha by Home Minister Rajnath Singh amid protests

Home Minister Rajnath Singh is set to move the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, even as protests continue across states in the northeast and opposition from even BJP chief ministers against the Bill. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CRPC have been imposed in East and West Imphal districts ahead of the tabling of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the Rajya Sabha.

As per the orders of the district magistrate, "Section-144 is imposed in Imphal till 12 February 2019 until further orders due to the situation arising out of intense agitation launched by various civil society organisations against the passing of Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016 in the Lok Sabha."

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8, aiming at granting citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014.

READ: Manipur Government's Stand On Citizenship Bill Not Different From That Of People: Chief Minister N Biren Singh

Earlier on February 10, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had stated that his party, National People's Party (NPP), has decided that if the central government passes the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the Rajya Sabha, then they will break ties with the NDA.

Addressing media persons in Guwahati, Sangma had said: "National People's Party (NPP) has decided if the Bill (Citizenship Amendment Bill) is passed in the Rajya Sabha, then the party will break its ties with the NDA. This decision was taken in the party's general body meeting."

BJP, on the other hand, has said the government wants to resolve the problem of illegal migrants. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged the people to not be carried away by the rumors. 

He urged the political parties to stop playing with the emotions of the people of Assam for political gain and vote bank. "It is a national commitment to the people of the North East that they will not be harmed in any way and citizenship will be only granted after due investigation and recommendation of the state governments," Modi said.

WATCH: "Won't Allow The Destruction Of Assam For Vote-bank Politics," Says PM Modi In City-name Issuing An Assurance Over The Citizenship Amendment Bill

Several organisations have been staging massive protests over the Bill asserting that the legislation will create law and order problems in the North East.

The BJP had won eight Lok Sabha seats from the region during the last Lok Sabha polls in 2014 out of which seven were from Assam, and one from Arunachal Pradesh-Kiren Rijiju, who is Union Minister of State for Home Affairs.

READ: Cabinet Approves Citizenship Amendment Bill In Parliament. Details Inside

(With agency inputs)