Aasu protests move to amend Citizenship Act

The All Assam Students Union (AASU) on Monday opposed the Centre's reported move to amend the Citizenship Act and warned of an agitation over the issue.

The students body said it would organise candlelight processions in all district and subdivisional headquarters of Assam on Tuesday.

It would also hold a public meeting in Guwahati on October 22 to chalk out its future course of action.

AASU leader Samujjal Bhattacharyya vowed to intensify the agitation to foil the central government's move to rehabilitate the Hindu Bangladeshis who entered Assam after 1971.

"We want to make it clear to the Assam government and the Centre that the issues of illegal infiltration and foreigners illegally living in Assam must be resolved on the basis of the Assam Accord."

The Assam Accord was signed in 1985 between the central government and leaders of AASU and All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad.

"As per the accord, all Hindus or Muslims who entered Assam after 1971 must go back," Bhattacharyya said.

"Assam is already burdened with Bangladeshis who entered the state before 1971. The Assam Accord was signed after a six-year-long agitation. The Centre must respect the accord, which is a national commitment," he said.

He said that not a single Bangladeshi who entered the state after 1971 would be allowed to stay in Assam.

He said along with 28 other civil society organisations of Assam, a mass movement would be started soon to create public opinion against the move to amend the Citizenship Act.

"A small state like Assam has already taken the burden of Bangladeshis who entered it before 1971. Not any more. Assam is not a dustbin to dump illegal Bangladeshis for vote bank politics," the AASU leader said.

--IANS

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