Black Day was observed in Meghalaya on Friday in protest against the NDA government for passing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in Lok Sabha and protesters burnt the effigies of BJP-led NDA government and the Bill at Khyndai Lad here.
The Federation of Khasi Jaiñtia and Garo People, Hynñiewtrep National Youth Front and Ri-Bhoi Youth Federation gathered at Khyndai Lad and shouted slogans against the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and condemned the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016 in Lok Sabha.
The protesters also put up black flags around Khyndai Lad area as a mark of protest, while police officer, P. Pandey came to the spot to stop the activists from hanging the black flags on the ground that they did not get permission holding the agitation.
President of the Federation of Khasi Jaiñtia and Garo People, Wellbirth Rani said that the Amendment Bill was brought by the BJP-led government at the Centre to provide Indian citizenship to Bangladeshis who will migrate to the Northeastern region.
“In Assam, the Assam Accord has been there for implementation to deport illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, but on one hand, the government came up with this Citizenship Amendment Bill to allow Bangladeshis to legally come here and become Indian citizens,” Rani said.
Hynñiewtrep National Youth Front general secretary Sadon K Blah said that the government of India has cheated the indigenous people many times since Independence and now also the government has cheated the indigenous people by trying to implement this Bill which will suppress the indigenous people further.
Before dispersing from Khyndai Lad, the protesters burnt down the effigies of the NDA government and the Bill. Black flags were also hanged on vehicles including taxis and distributed also to drivers of various vehicles.