Aasu stir against govt directive on Hindu B’deshi immigrants

DIBRUGARH, AUG 8: Hundreds of All Assam Students' Union (AASU) members took to the streets of Dibrugarh on Friday in protest against the Assam government's directive to withdraw cases from Foreigners Tribunalsagainst illegal Hindu Bangladeshi immigrants.The demonstration was spearheaded by AASU Dibrugarh District president Rupjyoti Borthakur and town unit president Tanuj Haloi, who led protesters through the city's main thoroughfares before converging at Chowkidingee. Participants wielded banners and raised voices against what they termed a betrayal of indigenous Assamese rights. The protesters also resorted to burning copies of the contentious directive."We categorically reject this directive which is nothing less than a covert strategy to impose the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) upon Assam. This is an inexcusable act against the people of Assam. If the CAA is deemed harmful for states operating under Inner Line Permit systems or Sixth Schedule provisions, what justification exists for imposing it upon Assam," AASU Dibrugarh District president Rupjyoti Borthakur said.The AASU emphasised the importance of adhering to the Assam Accord, which establishes March 24, 1971, as the cut-off date for identifying and deporting illegal immigrants."The government cannot pick and choose which illegal immigrants to shield based on their religion. There should be no religious criteria influencing decisions on illegality. Any individuals from Bangladesh, regardless of being Hindu or Muslim, who entered Assam after that date should be sent back. Assam is not a refuge for illegal immigrants from Bangladesh," AASU town unit president Tanuj Haloi said.(Ends)