Hundreds of students under the aegis of Mizoram’s apex students’ organisation, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), on Tuesday staged a demonstration at Lengpui airport and waved black flags at state’s lone Lok Sabha member, C. Lalrosanga, as he arrived in the afternoon.
Lalrosanga has come under severe attack from the student body and the Opposition for voting in favour of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.
Led by MZP president B. Vanlaltana, the protesters not only carried black flags and anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CCA) posters but also wore Mizo traditional shawls, Pawndum to express their anger and disapproval against the MP for supporting the Act. Apart from seeking apology from Lalrosanga, the protesters also demanded the MP resign from his post.
Addressing the gathering, Vanlaltana said the new law is harmful for Mizoram which is facing influx from Bangladesh for decades. He said the MZP has been opposing the law since it was a bill and will continue to oppose it till it is scrapped.
On their future course of action, Vanlaltana said they will act in accordance with the North East Students’ Organisation (Neso).
The MZP president denied that the protest was politically motivated. “There is no political interest behind the pro-tests against CAA,” he said.
Neso finance secretary and MZP leader Ricky Lalbiakmawia said Mizoram is still vulnerable to influx although it has been exempted from the purview of the Act.
“The Chakmas will migrate from Bangladesh to other Indian states and later come to Mizoram if the Act is not scrapped or the entire Northeast is exempted from its purview,” he said.
He added black flags will be displayed across the state on Thursday to protest the law.
Lalrosanga arrived at Lengpui airport where he was accorded warm welcome by Mizo National Front (MNF) leaders.
Lalrosanga, who successfully contested the Lok Sabha polls on the ruling MNF ticket in April, had voted for the bill.
He had claimed that he was doing the thing as the Centre had exempted Mizoram from the purview of the law.