Tezpur/Guwahati, Jan. 6 (PTI): A number of organisations including the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) took out protest rallies across Assam to protest Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement to pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
The protestors burnt the effigies of Modi and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
A group of KMSS members showed black flag in front of Sonowal's SUV at Dibrugarh and briefly interrupted the high- security convoy, forcing the NSG commandos to disembark and clear the way with the help of the CM's personal security provided by Assam Police.
Hundreds of members of a women's organisations took everyone by surprise when they gheraoed the BJP state office at Hengerabari area in Guwahati without prior intimation to anyone to lodge their protest against the proposed move by the BJP-led Centre.
"The decision to pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 is a historic injustice. It is a total dishonour shown to the people of Assam," Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Ripun Bora said at Tezpur.
Addressing a press conference, he said the party will launch a series of agitational programmes under 'Jagao Assam, Bachao Assam' and will demonstrate outside the Parliament on Monday.
The prime minister announced at a rally at Silchar in Assam on Friday tht the government is moving ahead with the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. I
The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955. It seeks to grant citizenship to people from minority communities - Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh after six years of residence in India instead of 12 even if they do not possess any proper document.
The Bill has been opposed by a large section of people and organisations in the Northeast.
The Asomiya Nari Samaj Adviser Balika Pegu said around 300 women members of the organisation came and blocked the BJP state headquarter for almost three hours.
They were later forcibly taken away by police.
"It was a sudden plan. Women came from all districts, including from far flung Sadiya. We will take more aggressive protest against this Bill. The CM lied to us by saying that he would protect Jati-Mati-Bheti (community, land, homeland)," she added.
At Dibrugarh, Sonowal attended the 61st Biennial State Conference of All Assam Ahom Association as the Chief Guest and said: "Our land is our pride and we will not allow that Assamese pride and prestige to get threatened at any cost."
Sangma urges NE parties to leave BJP over citizenship bill, dares 'Judas' Sonowal to quit
Former Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma of the Congress Sunday urged political parties of the Northeastern region to snap their partnership with the BJP following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement that the Citizenship Bill would be passed in the Parliament soon.
Sangma also likened Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to Judas, a close disciple of Jesus Christ widely believed to have betrayed the Lord, after he the BJP led Assam government would not harm the people's interests.
He also dared Sonowal to quit the BJP and his post to safeguard the interests of the indigenous people of Assam as the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre is moving ahead with The Citizenship Bill.
The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955. It seeks to grant citizenship to people from minority communities - Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh after six years of residence in India instead of 12 even if they do not possess any proper document.
The citizenship bill has been opposed by a large section of people and organisations in the Northeast.
Urging leaders of parties in Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and other states across the region where the BJP is part of the government to end their partnership with the saffron party, Sangma said, "We should send a strong signal if we love our people and if we care for the interest of the indigenous people."
All the northeastern states are now ruled either by the saffron party or others supported by it. Sikkim's ruling SDF is also friendly with the BJP.
Sangma said it is time for the regional parties to scrutinise the agenda of the BJP and their comrades if they all stand to protect the interest of the indigenous people.
Training his guns at Sonowal, the leader of the opposition in Meghalaya Assemmbly said he was amused by the statement of Sarbananda Sonowal.
After the prime minister's announcement about going ahead with the Bill raised a hue and cry, Sonowal said his government would never do anything to harm the interests of the people of Assam.
"When the prime minister announced a policy, he is a silent spectator. Can he dictate terms to Modi? He should resign from the BJP, quit his post and say hey, look Mr Modi, I cannot be a party to anti-people decision," Sangma said.
"In the name of the protecting the indigenous people of the region, these people have become Judas," he said.
The senior Congress leader compared the Citizenship Bill with the Assam Accord, and asked, "Don't they know the history? The Assam Accord and the turmoil vitiated by it? We have paid for these kinds of situations before."
This is the reason for further disintegration of the nation, he said adding that they cannot ignore North East.
The BJP and its allies have set a target to win 21 out of the 25 parliamentary seats in eight states in the region and in Assam the party hopes to win at least 11 of the 14 seats.
