Assam Shows No Signs Of Accepting CAA, Over 1 Lakh Protesters Gather Against It

Close to One lakh people hit the streets across the northeastern state of Assam at the call of AASU, Congress and several other groups to peacefully protest the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

The anti-CAA protest was the largest Assam has witnessed.

The largest gathering was in Dibrugarh, hometown of chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Many people assembled at Chowkidinghee playground at a programme by All Assam Students' Union (AASU), which is spearheading the protests.

According to news agency PTI, Dibrugarh observed a total and spontaneous bandh to express solidarity and shops, banks and business establishments remained closed.

Photo: EPA

Noted educationist and Sahitya Akademi awardee Nagen Saikia, who participated in the agitation, said "The MPs and MLAs should clear their stand whether they are representing Assam or Delhi."

AASU General Secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi demanded immediate withdrawal of the Act and warned the government not to suppress peoples' movement.

"We also demand immediate release of KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi. The way he was arrested is totally condemnable," he added.

On December 12, Akhil Gogoi, an RTI activist and peasant leader, was arrested in Jorhat district as a preventive measure amid violent protests against the CAA across the state. He was taken into custody to avoid any "untoward incident".

Another large rally was organised by AASU in Tezpur in which the gathering vowed to continue the agitation till the Act is repealed.

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"We do not understand their (BJP government at the Centre) peculiar formula. One hand they say safeguarding language, culture, identity and land of Assamese people, on the other hand they want to bring illegal Bangladeshis through the CAA," AASU chief adviser Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya said at the rally.

Popular singer Zubeen Garg said as all political parties in Assam have betrayed the state so people should think about "alternate ways to grab the power" in future.

In Golaghat, another huge gathering was reported.

Thousands of people took part in Congress¡¯ 800-kilometre 'padyatra' from Sadiya to Dhubri on Sunday. The march has reached Naharkatiya.

Peaceful protest continued across all the districts in Brahmaputra valley.

After the Rajya Sabha passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill on December 11, Assam erupted in uncontrolled protests in which agitators engaged in pitched battle in almost every major city or town.

These were one of the worst violent protests by the public in its history since December 9.

Five persons had lost their lives during the protest, including four in firing by security forces.