The discontent and agitation against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 has only grown overtime with the Assam government not giving any firm stand against the Bill. Various organisations under the leadership of AASU took to the streets on Friday urging the government to accord constitutional safeguards to the indigenous people.
The protest rally had been taken out from Latasil Field in Guwahati and culminated at Assam Engineering Institute (AEI) playground.
AASU Advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya said that the Bill is "unconstitutional and unacceptable", it will put the identity of local people at stake.
Addressing the gathering at Latashil, Bhattacharya said, "Do not test our patience."
"The only solution acceptable to us is the revocation of the Bill. We urge the opposition parties to push the government in that direction," said the AASU leader at the protest adding the north-east region is not a "dumping ground" for illegal Bangladeshis.
"Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had been saying that people of the state should have faith in the government, but we are worried as the existence of tribal people in the region has come under threat," he stated.
The central government should initiate a bilateral dialogue with the Bangladesh government to ensure deportation of Bangaldeshis, who have been putting up illegally in the region, said Bhattacharya.
"It is high time the debate over the controversial Citizenship Bill is put to rest. The Centre should introduce constitutional safeguards to protect the identity of the people and this includes an inner line permit in north-east states, taking into consideration the local conditions," Bhattacharya added.
