Opposition parties in Assam today staged state-wide protests against the tabling of the constitutional amendment bill in Rajya Sabha to facilitate swapping of land enclaves with Bangladesh.
The state unit of BJP has called a 12-hour 'Assam Bandh' tomorrow to protest against the bill which has also been opposed by AGP and All Assam Students' Union (AASU). They allege it was against the interest of the state.
The bandh will begin at 5 AM and the BJP has urged all to make it a success for "protecting the interest and identity of the state", a statement issued by the party said.
The AGP staged demonstrations across the state protesting against the tabling of the Bill in Rajya Sabha yesterday and burnt effigies of leaders.
AGP President and former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta said that the party will in no way tolerate the handing over of Assam's land to Bangladesh and will go all out to prevent it.
He said that AGP MP Birendra Prasad Baishya had staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha yesterday and the party MPs would protest again outside Parliament tomorrow.
AASU also observed the day as a protest day and staged demonstrations at all district and sub-divisional headquarters protesting against the scrapping of the land deal.
AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya said that all MPs from the state, irrespective of party considerations, should protest against the bill if they are genuinely concerned about the interest of the state.
Both the AGP and BJP staged a walkout in the state assembly over the issue and the five BJP MLAs sat on a dharna outside the house protesting against tabling of the Bill.
