SIVASAGAR: The eastern Assam district of Sivasagar continues to be tense.
Following vehement protests by civil society groups against “non-Assamese” communities over alleged assault on a teenaged national-level athlete, the Sivasagar district administration in Assam has initiated a campaign asking CSO leaders to sign bonds, pledging to refrain from making any provocative statements or demonstrations.
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The Sivasagar district administration has warned that any violations could result in legal action as per law.
Leaders of as many as 27 Assamese civil society organisations, including Srinkhal Chaliha, a leader of the Bir Lachit Sena were summoned for bond signing.
These leaders have been summoned to appear before the Sivasagar district magistrate.
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Summons jave also been issued to other leaders, such as Chitu Barua, president of the Jatiya Sangram Sena, Parshjyoti Das and Bhaskar Bargohain, central general secretary of the Assam Tai Ahom Students Union (ATASU).
The campaign has sparked significant reactions from various quarters.
Basanta Gogoi, president of ATASU, criticized the move, stating that signing a bond will not deter the fight for indigenous rights.
He stated that the people of Upper Assam have always maintained law and order, insisting that there is no unrest in Sivasagar.
According to Gogoi, the conflict is not about religious differences but about the struggle between indigenous and non-indigenous communities.
Srinkhal Chaliha of the Bir Lachit Sena also voiced his opposition, declaring that he would rather face imprisonment than sign the bond.
He asserted that their movement is focused on indigenous dominance and the expulsion of Bangladeshi immigrants, irrespective of their religious affiliations.
The situation in Sivasagar has been tense for the past ten days, following an alleged assault on a 17-year-old national-level athlete by local businessmen from the Marwari community.
This incident triggered widespread protests against non-Assamese business owners, leading to the closure of several shops and businesses.
In response to the unrest, Assam cabinet minister Ranoj Pegu held a meeting in Sivasagar, attended by representatives from both Assamese and Marwari groups.
During the meeting, members of the Marwari community issued a public apology for the assault on the young athlete, expressing their regret to the protesting organizations.
Amid the growing tensions, security has been heightened across Sivasagar district of Assam.
The local police, along with the district administration, conducted a march through the streets of Sivasagar in Assam on Monday to maintain peace and prevent any further disturbances.
The Superintendent of Police (SP) and the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Sivasagar participated in the march, assessing the law and order situation in the area.