Siliguri, Jan 20 (UNI) Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that nobody needs to fear Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Inaugurating the Uttarbanga Utsav, Ms Banerjee said, "We won’t let them divide the country. This is our country. We are proud of our culture. We all have the same red blood. And this festival is a celebration of our culture. "
"Do not be afraid of NRC or CAA. I am here with you. This is our State, our land. We don’t come here only during the time of election, " she added.
"The NPR exercise is asking for parents’ documents. That is why I postponed it. Even I won’t be able to submit that document, " the Chief Minister averred.
"Now they are saying parents’ certificates are not mandatory. If a column in the form is vacant, that means this is incomplete. Those forms will be rejected, and they will never get citizenship, " she asserted.
"All States have different opinions and cultures but the same love for a united India. We have also promised land for the Press club. That is under process. We will keep our promise, " Ms Banerjee said.
"I have come to know that some people from the Opposition parties are attacking innocents, and so have ordered the police to tackle the issue sternly."
"We are all citizens and so are all equal. We need Bengalis, non-Bengalis, tribal people, Rajbangshis, other minority communities to stay together. Humanity is above all else, " Ms Banerjee iterated.
Meanwhile, West Bengal is likely to bring a resolution against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) within three to four days, Ms Banerjee said.
Ms Banerjee talked to media at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport before leaving for Siliguri to inaugurate the Uttarbanga Utsab there.
The Chief Minister will start her anti-CAA rallies in the hills of North Bengal from January 22 as scheduled earlier.
She gave away the Banga Ratna Award to nine achievers including social activists, sportspersons and teachers, consisting of a trophy and Rs 1 lakh.
She also announced Rs 10,000 each for 10 meritorious students from each of the nine districts of north Bengal, totalling 90 students.
On the occasion, she gave a speech to a huge crowd of supporters who had gathered for the function.
"We established Uttarkanya, a separate secretariat for north Bengal, after coming to power. North Bengal was much neglected earlier; we came and ensured large-scale development, " she stated.
"We opened universities in every district, set up airports in Malda, Cooch Behar and Balurghat. We have given land for the expansion of Bagdogra Airport. It will soon have night landing facility. "
" We created two new districts, Kalimpong and Alipurduar to ensure better reach of developmental activities, " she said adding, " A new division has been set up in Malda, a new police commissionerate in Siliguri. "
" I love north Bengal as much as I love south Bengal. I have another public meeting in the Hills on January 22, " she said.
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