Sonowal takes out ‘padayatra,’ AASU holds protests across Assam

Nalbari (Assam), Dec. 20 (PTI/IANS): With normalcy returning to Assam, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal along with his ministers and BJP workers took out a silent ‘padayatra’ for peace here on Friday which also saw protests by AASU and other organisations across Assam against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

Sonowal, accompanied by ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chandramohan Patowary, Bhabesh Kalita, BJP state party president Ranjeet Das, Bodoland People’s Front Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary, AGP and BJP workers took part in the peace rally here.

AASU on the other hand organised a massive protest meeting calling it ‘Bajra Ninad’ (War Cry) here.

The chief minister addressing the people before the rally appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony so that “we can take Assam to greater heights”.

Health and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the rally was organised to ensure peace and uninterrupted development of Assam, which its people want.

He later tweeted that a large number of enthusiastic people joined the march led by the chief minister. “I thank people for your continued faith in us. Your love keep us driving to achieve the best”.

In another tweet, he said the “Affection of people and their spirited participation in the peace march was heart touching. From small children to elderly women – everyone astoundingly reposed their faith once more in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah”.

Speakers at the AASU rally said that the people had peacefully protested against the CAA here and there is no need for a peace rally here. Instead the state government should pressurise the centre to revoke the CAA, the speakers asserted.

The speakers included AASU organising secretary Himan Barman, Nalbari Students Union general secretary Gunajyoti Pathak among others.

The protestors with traditional Assamese ‘gamosas’ tied around their heads and shouted slogans against the CAA. Protests against the Act was also held across the state by different organisations.

Silpi Samaj, which is at the forefront of the agitation against the Act along with AASU, organised a massive rally at Hajo in Lower Assam in which popular singer Zubeen Garg was present.

The All Assam Lawyers Association (AALA) took out a ‘Raj Bhawan Chalo’ and submitted a memorandum to Governor Jagadish Mukhi demanding withdrawal of the Act.

A torchlight procession was taken out this evening of Sanmilita Songram Parishad, a platform of 51 organisations formed to demand the revocation of the Act.’’

Invited leaders of anti-CAA agitation for talks — Assam CM

Allaying fears over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday said he invited leaders of anti- citizenship law agitation for talks and that his government was committed to work for the best interests of its people.

Addressing a press conference here, Sonowal gave assurances that he would not allow anyone to harm the rights and honour of the state’s indigenous population.

The chief minister also clarified that no one would be able to move to Assam from Bangladesh by means of the amended Citizenship Act.

“Assam will always remain for the Assamese. No person from Bangladesh will be able to come to Assam through the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Only those staying among us for decades (having fled Bangladesh) due to religious persecution can apply for Indian citizenship,” he stated. The chief minister insisted that the number of applicants would be “negligible”.

“When the process of filing application for citizenship will be over, a list will be published… People will then find out if my assertion that the number will be negligible is correct or wrong,” Sonowal said.

The CM sought to remind people that he had once moved the Supreme Court to protect their rights.

“For you, I had gone to the Supreme Court. Don’t think I am any different from you. I am with you,” he said.

Sonowal had in early 2000s moved the apex court seeking revocation of the controversial Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act and Rules. The court had struck down the IMDT Act as unconstitutional.

“Assamese language will be protected as state language forever. People’s rights will be secure. Nobody can take away their land, honour and political rights. I was made the chief minister to ensure their development. I assure you no one can steal the rights of the sons of the soil,” he claimed.

Asserting that a Special Investigation Team would probe every case related to the violent protests over the citizenship law, the chief minister said he invited leaders spearheading the agitation for talks.

“I have invited the leaders of the anti-citizenship law agitation for talks across the table as I believe through discussions everything is possible. I have extended our invitation through the chief secretary. Together we can chalk out a solution, a way out…” Sonowal clarified.

Maintaining that a section of people were misleading others by claiming that 1.5 crore refugees from Bangladesh “will be settled in the land of the indigenous people of Assam”, Sonowal said, “It is false propaganda. Those spreading such misinformation will soon be exposed.”

“It is certain that granting of citizenship cannot have any impact on our social construct. Clause 6 of the Assam Accord grants constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people,” he said.

The CM pointed out that the amended Citizenship Act was a “national commitment” and there was no political motive behind its implementation.

“Do not doubt us and distance us from you. We are all united. Come forward to solve Assam’s problems through discussions,” the CM iterated.

Describing those that unleashed violence in the state during the anti-CAA protests as “enemies of Assam”, he said, “Their only agenda is to grasp power by disturbing peace.”

On a delegation of BJP MLAs calling on him and urging him to allay fears and doubts regarding the amended law, Sonowal said, “I am happy they upheld their responsibility and apprised me of people’s concerns in their respective constituencies. I thank them.”