The Chief Minister of India's state of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang has said that he will not implement the Citizenship Amendment Act in his state, as the state enjoys special status under Article 371 (f) of the Constitution. Criticizing the opposition parties, Tamang said that some people with vested interests are misleading the public about the Citizenship Amendment Act. He said that it will not have any effect on the state.
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In his statement, Tamang said that despite the Union Home Minister Amit Shah making it clear in Parliament that this law will not be applicable in Sikkim without the approval of the state assembly, the opposition parties are misleading the people. Opposition parties - Congress, Hamro Sikkim Party and Sikkim Republican Party have shown the fear that this law will be forcibly implemented in Sikkim with a population of only six lakhs.
Apart from this, Tamang said, 'We have already been assured by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah that the revised citizenship law will not apply in Sikkim as the state enjoys special status under Article 371 (f) of the Constitution.' I have expressed fear that the state has a population of only six lakhs. It will be forced to bring it within the purview of the law.
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At the same, the acting president of HSP, Bhaichung Bhutia has criticized the law a lot. He has expressed apprehension that the amended citizenship law may change the demographics of the state, which currently favors the Lepchas, Bhotias and Gorkhas.