Furore after error

Assam erupts in protest over BJP’s Delhi Vision Document goof–up

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, February 4: The State BJP headquarters came under a virtual siege today as angry protests against the party’s Delhi Vision document fiasco spilled onto the streets for the second day, despite apologies from top party leaders, including Prime Minister rendra Modi himself.

Security personnel carried out a mild lathi charge to prevent a major flare–up at the BJP’s Hengerabari office where NSUI and BJYM activists crossed swords this morning. The BJYM accused the Congress students’ wing of burning BJP flags, which lined the avenue leading to the BJP office and replacing them with Congress flags.

The NSUI activists, who shouted slogans against the Prime Minister and Union minister Sarbanda Sonowal, tried to barge into the BJP office but security personnel locked the gates and prevented them.

The AGP also burnt effigies of the Prime Minister in various places and appealed to the people to come out against the BJP. Its youth wing, Asom Yuba Parishad, will stage semi–nude protests tomorrow.

The KMSS took out a rally from Gandhi Basti to Dighalipukhuri where its activists lay down on the road to register their protest. They also burnt copies of the BJP’s Delhi Vision document where NE people were referred to as "immigrants".

The AASU organized torch–light rallies in many places in the State in the evening. The student body asserted that “there cannot be any excuse for the crime”.

The SFI also protested by taking out a procession in Guwahati. “Students from Handique Girls College were insulted by security personnel at Taj Mahal. No action was taken by the government then. And now, the Central government has given in writing that people from the Northeast are foreigners,” it said.

The State Congress unit also took out a rally and instructed its block and booth level units to hold protests on February 6 and 8 respectively.

Condemning the BJP, the CPI(M) said the fiasco revealed the “cheap mentality” of the party ruling at the Centre.

The State unit of Aam Aadmi Party demanded an apology from the Prime Minister. “If not, Sarbanda Sonowal should resign from the Union ministry,” it said.