Mass protest by journalist fraternity

A Correspondent

Tezpur, May 22: The journalist fraternity of Sonitpur district on Tuesday staged dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Sonitpur, Tezpur and submitted memorandum to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) through the Deputy Commissioner to protest implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. In this memorandum they highlighted the historic Assam Accord which was the outcome of the historic Assam Movement (1979-1985) where 855 heroes of Assam laid down their lives for the nation, besides more than thousand people facing disability at the moment. The accord was signed to detect and deport the illegal Bangladeshi migrants who entered into Assam on or after March 25, 1971 whereas if this Bill is brought into force then the identity of the indigenous people of Assam will be at risk and the economy of the State will also suffer, stated the memorandum.

Senior journalist Anjan Goswami said, “The members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee will pay due response to our appeal and the sentiments of the peace-loving Assamese people. We request the committee not to favour this bill otherwise it may force the people of Assam to start another Assam Movement for saving their identity.” Goswami further added that at the crucial stage, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonwal, also a former AASU leader, should give his views on the ill-effects the people of Assam would face if the bill was implemented.