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Mizo students burning copy of CAB which was tabled in the Parliament on December 9. (NNN Photo)
Newmai News Network
Aizawl | December 10
Normal life was severely affected in Mizoram due to a statewide total shutdown imposed by the state’s apex student body, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) in support of the Northeast bandh called by North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) in protest against the contentious Citizenship (Aamendment) Bill on Tuesday.
All offices, educational institutions, commercial banks and other business establishments remained closed during the bandh. All streets in the state capital wore a deserted look as vehicles stayed off the roads and people stayed indoors.
Though the bandh was slated from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm, it was called off at 1:30 pm as a token of gratitude to the people for their strong support, MZP general secretary Lalnunmawia Pautu said. The strike went off peaceful and no untoward incidents were reported during the protest from any part of the state, police said.
Several political parties and civil society organizations backed the NESO and MZP for their move to safeguard the Northeast. During the bandh, protesters also burnt copy of the Bill which was tabled in the Parliament on December 9.
MZP president Vanlaltana blamed the Centre for allegedly dividing the Northeast by excluding some of the states and including others within the ambit of the Bill. He said that Mizoram is not fully protected though it will be exempted from the purview of the Bill. He added that various student bodies under the aegis of NESO are against the Bill as it is "harmful" for the Northeast.
Meanwhile, the MZP in a statement strongly accused Lok Sabha member from Mizoram C Lalrosanga for supporting the Bill. The student body asked the MP to remember his poll promises and that all political parties, NGOs and the people alike strongly opposed the Bill.
