By Sfoorti Mishra

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS): Ace footballer and Hamro Sikkim Party founder and president Bhaichung Bhutia said he is disappointed with the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019.

Speaking exclusively to IANS, the sportstar-turned-politician said "I am speaking on behalf of the people of Sikkim that we are very disappointed with the Bill since Sikkim is excluded from the CAB in writing like other North East states have been mentioned in the Bill. Although the Home Minister had spoken about Sikkim in the Parliament but it is not in writing in the Bill."

He also said that the Bill is completely against Article 371 that safeguards the interests and rights of the people of Sikkim. "We are deeply disheartened with the bill since it is completely against Article 371 that safeguards us."

Speaking about the protests in Assam, Bhutia said "We also have the same issue that Assam and other northeastern states have. We also have a major influx issue in Sikkim. The indigenous people of Sikkim are completely vanishing and are constantly under threat."

Talking about the issues that the state of Sikkim is facing, he said "Unemployment is the biggest challenge that Sikkim is facing today. We are a very small state and already second highest unemployed state of India. In a small state like Sikkim where there is a bill like CAB that allows a lot of people in, not only now but in the future as well lot of employment and other opportunities will be lost. This Bill is against the sentiments of people of Sikkim."