OUR CORRESPONDENT
SIVASAGAR: Reaffirming Sivasagar’s identity as a cradle of harmony and nationalism since the days of Swargadeo Chaulung Syukapha, a citizens’ meeting was held today under the theme “Sivasagar is Ours – We belong to Sivasagar”. The gathering aimed to counter attempts by certain “reactionary forces” allegedly trying to sow seeds of division among the indigenous population.
The event, held at Sivasagar Yuvadal, saw participation from hundreds of residents, community leaders, activists, journalists, and cultural figures. The meeting was moderated by Assam Movement leader Jogesh Bora, while All Tai Ahom Students’ Union president Basanta Gogoi delivered the purpose statement, urging unity to safeguard Sivasagar’s heritage, solidarity, and fraternity.
Student leader Jintu Mech emphasized that Sivasagar is the seat of Assamese nationalism, which should be upheld for the entire state, not confined to specific regions.
Senior journalist Ananta Smith clarified that recent rumours of armed individuals chanting religious slogans in a certain part of Sivasagar were false, as confirmed by police in the presence of both groups involved in the earlier verbal dispute.
Ahom Sena chief Ankuran Phukan warned against any attempt to weaken the “pillar of harmony” that Sivasagar has long represented.
CPI state secretary Kanak Gogoi opposed conspiracies to disturb communal peace, stressing the need for principled solutions to any grievances.
Several speakers, including prominent actor and youth leader Baikuntha Prince, journalist Bhairab Munda, and social worker Ranjit Sharma, expressed concern over attempts to misrepresent the meeting’s purpose and linked it to political sponsorship—claims they dismissed as baseless.
Speakers unanimously resolved to maintain unity, cultural heritage, and social harmony in Sivasagar, urging constant vigilance against divisive forces. The meeting also passed several key resolutions which included: to organise a mass rally in Sivasagar advocating the classification of six communities as Scheduled Tribes, implementation of Inner Line Permit, and full enforcement of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord; condemned the inflammatory remarks of three individuals—Shrinkhal Chaliha, Chitu Barua and Yunus Tamuli—for allegedly making communal and provocative statements, and an appeal to all sides to refrain from such comments; appeal all communities, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion to uphold peace and harmony with patience and understanding; call to media houses and editors to avoid spreading misleading or provocative content that could harm the atmosphere of peace; appeal to indigenous landlords and tenants to maintain national unity and avoid actions that could create suspicion or discord, including selling or transferring land to suspected foreigners; and demanded the district administration and government to identify and take strict measures against reactionary elements, etc.
The meet was also attended by former principals and vice-principals of local colleges, leaders from various student and community organisations, social activists, journalists, and political representatives.
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