CM’s mysterious silence over Bill will unleash challenges: TAYP

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, July 2: Despite that the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 is gaining momentum across the state, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is still tight-lipped. He is yet to articulate a clear stand on the highly contested legislation. Under this given situation, the Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad on Sunday expressed strong resentment and displeasure over the Chief Minister’s mysterious role.

In an extended executive meeting of the Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad convened in Guwahati by the Kamrup (M) district committee on Sunday, the central president of the body Dilip Gogoi said that the baffling silence of the Chief Minister will put the indigenous people of the state into a new vista of challenge. Citing the resistance of Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram and very recently Manipur, who have officially opposed the Bill, Gogoi questioned, “Why Government of Assam is not daring to oppose the Bill like the other states of the region?” Stating that the Bill will unleash existential challenges to the indigenous people if passed in the Parliament, Gogoi appealed to the people of the state to stand united irrespective of individuals and organizations to intensify collective fight against the Bill.

The Kamrup (M) district president (In-charge) of the Parishad Mridul Konwar also criticized the prevailing silence of the Chief Minister and said, “The passing of the Bill in the parliament will prove that the Sonowal led BJP alliance in Assam is an anti-indigenous regime.”

During the meeting, the Parishad announced that a workshop on Tai language and dance will be held on July 19 at Karmashree Hiteswar Saikia College, Sixmile. The Parishad will also dispense some financial aid to selected poor students on July 26. Kamrup (M) district president of the Tai Ahom Mahila Parishad Kalpana Gogoi and general secretary Junmoni Gogoi beside others also attended the meeting.