Citizenship Bill will be scrapped, vows Congress

Guwahati: The Congress manifesto has dedicated a sizable space to Northeast with specific assurance to scrap the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016, which rocked the region.

The Congress in the manifesto affirmed that the north-eastern states are a unique and valued part of India that bring into the nation many diverse and rich cultures, languages, traditions and bio-diversity. The Congress stated that the party is committed to ‘defend and protect’ the interests of the region and their people and to ensuring the rapid economic development of the region.

Announcing that Congress will bring in separate industrial policy for Northeastern states, the Congress party in its manifesto also promised to restore the Special Category status to the northeastern states. The party also promises to ensure that no citizen of India is denied inclusion in the final National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The party promises to address the issue of illegal immigration through consultation with all the north-eastern states and evolve a consensus on the legislative measures that will secure the identity of the indigenous communities, the manifesto stated.