Bhaichung Bhutia Demands Implementation of ILP in Sikkim

Gangtok, December 10, 2019:

Football superstar Bhaichung Bhutia has expressed his concerns over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, and lamented that the state of Sikkim has not been adequately safeguarded against the proposed Bill, and demanded the implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP).

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Stating that he is "deeply disappointed" with the Bill, he expressed that the Bill has not excluded Sikkim from its purview, compared to other northeast Indian states like Nagaland, and Megalaya. "We wanted Sikkim also to be mentioned in writing on the Bill like other northeast states", says Bhutia.

"The Home minister has also mentioned it will not effect article 371 states. There is a difference between 371 and 371F. Article 371 does not have a separate Constitution, but Article 371F does. This bill is surely a way of diluting the article 371F in the longer run.

Despite our CM and MP claiming to have fought for the state to exclude Sikkim, the result has not been fruitful", Bhaichung said.

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The footballing star further urged the Sikkim govt to implement and bring ILP (Inner Line Permit) so that they get exempted, failing which, the ruling party should pull out of the NDA coalition.

It may be mentioned that the highly controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was passed at midnight with 311 'ayes', as against 80 ‘noes’. The Bill will now be shifted to the Rajya Sabha, passing which, it shall become a law.

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