Former Sikkim CM Demands Exemption of the State from CAA

Guwahati, December 20, 2019:

Former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on Thursday sent a memorandum to the Governor requesting a special exemption for the state from the extension and enforcement of the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 based on the special provisions of Article 371F of the Constitution of India.

In the memorandum, Pawan Chamling stated, “A deep sense of fear and insecurity has arisen in the minds of the people of Sikkim. The people at large are very apprehensive that in case the said Act is extended and enforced in Sikkim, the same would adversely affect the rights and interest of the Sikkimese people and may also dilute the very spirit of Article 371F of the Constitution of India.”

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Stating that the “selective exemption of the extension and enforcement of the said Act” has led to the apprehensions, Chamling added that the North Eastern States namely, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and some areas of Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura have been exempted based on the criteria such as, Tribal Autonomous District Council (TADC) and Inner Line Permit (ILP) which are constituted under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Whereas, Sikkim, which is also a part of the North-Eastern States, has not been specifically referred to or mentioned as a State which falls under the exempted category or exempted from the extension and enforcement of the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019.

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The memorandum added, “However, it may also be pertinent to record that the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister had given full assurance that Sikkim will be exempted from the purview or enforcement of the said Act for which I am sincerely grateful. I am also confident that the assurances given by the Hon’ble Leaders at the Centre will be fully respected and implemented in principle and spirit.”

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