Protests against Citizenship Amendment Bill: Former Mizoram CM Lal Thanhawla holds banner calling for independent Mizoram

Thousands of people of the Christian majority state raised the issue by holding placards during a protest rally against the controversial bill in Mizoram’s capital city Aizawl on Tuesday.

Significantly,  former Mizoram Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Lal Thanhawla was also seen with a banner calling for Independent Mizoram during the rally organised by the the NGO Co-ordination Committee, an umbrella organisation of civil society groups and student bodies, including Young Mizo Association, Mizoram Upa Pawl, Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl, Mizo Zirlai Pawl, Mizo Students Union.

Waving black flags, the protesters  also held placards which read, ‘Welcome Independent Republic of Mizoram’, ‘Hello New Christian Country’.

The people gathered in the premises of Vanapa Hall, Aizawl and shouted slogans against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, the BJP-led Union government and raised slogans for Independent Mizoram.

Young Mizo Association president Vanlalruata said, "despite our repeated protests, the central government tries to pass the bill in Rajya Sabha today, but we will not accept the bill at any cost.

“If the bill is passed, anything could happen. We are Mizos by blood and Indian by law,” NGO Co-ordination Committee general secretary Lalhmachhuana said.

The protesters also held a mass prayer against the bill.

The protest was organised on a short notice.

The NGO Co-ordination Committee met Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga on Monday to push the central government not to go ahead with the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

Meanwhile, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Tuesday held cabinet meeting and decided that the state is totally against the bill and will continue to oppose it.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)