The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The newly enacted Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 2019, which officially came into force this Monday, will notably exclude several tribal regions within the Northeastern states from its scope, particularly those areas recognized for their unique status under the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This legislation, by design, will not extend to any Northeastern territories where an Inner Line Permit (ILP) is a prerequisite for entry by individuals from other regions of India. Presently, the ILP system is operational in states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur.
Further exemptions under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act are provided to areas governed by autonomous councils, as established under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution. These councils operate within Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura, covering regions like Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, and the Bodoland Territorial Council in Assam; the Garo Hills in Meghalaya; and certain tribal territories in Tripura. The primary objective of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act is to facilitate the acquisition of Indian citizenship for individuals belonging to Hindu, Jain, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, and Parsi communities who have migrated to India on or before December 31, 2014, from countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. This legislative move has sparked a series of discussions and debates across the country regarding its implications on the sociopolitical landscape, particularly in the context of preserving the cultural and demographic fabric of the Northeastern tribal regions.
The decision to exempt certain areas from the Act’s provisions underscores the government’s recognition of the unique cultural and administrative dynamics of the Northeastern states. It reflects a tailored approach to national policy implementation, taking into account the distinct legal and constitutional safeguards that exist for the protection of tribal communities in India.
