Former Assam CM and senior AGP leader Prafulla Kr Mahanta on Sunday said his NSG security cover has been withdrawn to pressurize him for his anti-CAA stand.
The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), led by Assam agriculture minister Atul Bora, decided to support the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), 2019 in the Parliament for which the party has been strongly criticised by the people.
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But along with various other party workers, former chief minister Mahanta has been vehemently opposing the new law. The AGP is a partner in the BJP-led coalition government in Assam.
The CAB, 2019 was passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 11 night. It was passed by the Lok Sabha in the intervening night of December 9 and 10.
The CAB became an Act after President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the bill.
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Also read: CAB becomes Act, gets President Kovind’s assent
“The people know that we are opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act. I have faced pressure in various ways. I think the withdrawal of NSG cover is a part of that pressure. (Sarbananda) Sonowal, a few ministers and an insurgent are involved in it,” alleged Mahanta.
However, Mahanta said, he would not change his stand on CAA despite pressure on him.
Also read: AGP MPs supporting CAA unfortunate: Prafulla Mahanta
While addressing a press conference in Guwahati on Saturday, Mahanta said, “The NSG cover was withdrawn on December 19. The review meeting was proposed to be held in February, but the NSG cover has been cut before that. The state government was repeatedly telling the central government to remove my NSG security cover.”
Mahanta said he would file a petition in the Gauhati High Court in this regard.
Earlier, Mahanta had received Z+ security cover.
This is the second-highest level of security provided in India having NSG Commandos and police.
Now, the former Assam CM will have Z category security cover without NSG Commandos.
Stating that he will continue to oppose the CAA, Mahanta said, “I will never betray the community. I will not let destroy the community by rejecting the validity of the Assam Accord.”
As per the Assam Accord, March 24, 1971, is the cut-off date for identifying, detection and deportation of all illegal foreigners.
But according to the CAA, 2019, any person belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian community from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan, who entered into India on or before December 31, 2014, will be granted citizenship.
Mahanta also attacked AGP’s Rajya Sabha MP Birendra Prasad Baishya for voting in favour of the CAB.