The Central Puja Committee, Meghalaya, has appealed to all genuine and permanent non-indigenous residents of the state to stand in solidarity with the majority indigenous community to safeguard their interests.

The resolution was taken at a meeting held on Sunday of the committee members along with other likeminded genuine and permanent non-indigenous associations.

“The meeting expressed solidarity and support to the genuine and legitimate protests of the indigenous tribal community of Meghalaya against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, and the adverse effect of the act which is against the foundation, spirit and philosophy of the committee, which for last 26 years has been engaged in promoting religious harmony and brotherhood among all sections of the people of Meghalaya irrespective of ca-ste, creed, faith and religion,” committee general secretary J.L. Das said in a statement.

He said the genuine and permanent non-indigenous residents of the state have been asked to stand with the indigenous community and extend all possible support to safeguard their valid interests, including apprehensions of alteration of demographic structure of the indigenous population.

“The meeting resolved that any danger to the demographic status of the indigenous population of the state is bound to have far-reaching implications to the genuine minorities as well,” Das added.

The meeting resolved to appeal to both state and central governments to initiate measures to guarantee protection of the indigenous community from all forms of danger arising out of the fallout of the act, and to accord priority to ensure safety and security of all genuine non-indigenous residents of the state, with a plea to rein in incidents of targeted violence against them.