Prafulla Mahanta opposes granting citizenship rights to Bangladeshis

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: Former Chief Minister of Assam and former president of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Prafulla Kr. Mahanta on Wednesday visited Kokrajhar after visiting Goalpara to take stock of the party's position in BTC region. Talking to reporters, Mahanta said he was totally disappointed with the Centre's decision to grant citizenship rights to Bangladeshi illegal immigrants by bringing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. He said the Assam Movement took place over the foreigners' issue in the State that had witnessed massive demographic change. The Assam Accord was signed in 1985 where the identification and deportation of illegal Bangladeshis was the prime clause, he said, adding that there was no question to grant citizenship rights to foreigners illegally staying in the State on religious lines. He further said that the movement against CAA would not end.

Replying to a question on the present flood scenario and COVID-19 pandemic, Mahanta said the flood problem had increased in Assam since 1950 after the massive earthquake. He said the river beds of the State, including the Brahmaputra, rose after massive tremor and since then the floods had become more devastating.

Regarding the deadly pandemic, the former Chief Minister said the government had taken precautionary measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. He appealed to all to strictly maintain social distancing and to wear masks.

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