Slogans of ‘Go back Bangladeshis’, ‘We oppose Citizenship Bill; and ‘Long live Karbi Anglong’ rent the air in Diphu town of Karbi Anglong district of Assam on Wednesday as over 24 social organizations took out a protest march against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016, from Semson Sing Ingti Memorial Park in Diphu.
The procession under the banner of Hills Tribal League (HTL) was participated by members and leaders of the organizations.
At Semson Sing Ingti Memorial Park, secretary of North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF), U Jenison addressing the protestors said NEDF is here to show solidarity to the movement opposing the citizenship bill.
Jenison said, “Under this citizenship bill there is nothing to indicate that the Government can give protection to indigenous people of the North-east, rather it gives protection to foreigners. It will be like the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) enforced in the North-east to suppress the people of this region.”
He further said, “We need to understand the government’s strategy to absorb people from outside and dump them on our land. If the government is so willing take them (foreigners) as citizens then why not in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and elsewhere. We need to think for our future generation and it is time for us to fight back together against the anti-tribal policies of the government.”
Adviser to the over 24 organizations, JI Kathar said there are various plans and policies of the government to do away with the indigenous people.
Kathar said, “We have elected the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power thinking it will do us good, but instead the BJP government is telling us to cut our own throats.”
Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State (JACAS) Chairman Khorsing Teron urged the member organizations not to end the movement.
Among the over 24 organizations participating in the demonstration are Dimasa Sahitya Sabha, Karbi Anglong; Dimasa Students Association, Rengma Naga Students Union, Kuki Students Organization, Karbi Students Association, Karbi Cultural Society, Karbi Longri and NC Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF), Karbi Farmers Association, United Karbi Students Association and Karbi Students Union and Garo Students Union.