Lone Lok Sabha MP from Nagaland, Tokheho Yepthomi Saturday issued a statement clarifying his stand as to why he had voted in favour of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 in the recently held Winter Parliament session.
Tokheho pointed out that in the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 there was nothing mentioned about protection of North Eastern States. On the contrary, he said the CAB that was recently passed by Parliament, was amended to give protection to states under the Sixth Schedule and Bengal Eastern Frontier Act 1873.
He said during the meeting of the NDA held on November 17, 2019 the MPs from Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland had urged Union Home Minister to exempt their states from the CAB, which was agreed upon in the presence of the Prime Minister. Tokheho maintained that the exclusion of various states from CAB was possible only because of co-ordination of MPs from the Northeast and the MPs will continue to do so.
To clarify doubts about inclusion of ILP in the amended CAB, he urged all to spare time and read the contents of the Bill.
Tokheho said his duty as MP from Nagaland was to serve in the interest of the state. It was only after the assurance given to the MPs by Home Minister, to exempt Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland out of the purview of CAB, Tokheho said he supported the bill in parliament.
“My voting in favor of the Citizenship Amendment Bill was not a unilateral decision. It was a decision taken after directives from my party President and leaders that I supported CAB in parliament,” he stated.