GUWAHATI, Nov 22 � A massive procession led by the All Assam Students� Union (AASU), was taken out demanding strong action against the fundamentalist groups including the jihadi extremists operating in the State.
The AASU demanded of the Centre and the State Government to launch a special operation against the jihadi elements in Assam.
The mass procession, in which several thousand people besides 26 organisations of the State including the Sadou Asom Goria Moria Desi Jatiya Parishad took part, was taken out from the historic Latasil playground around 1 pm. Thousands of people from different districts also took part in the rally.
Addressing the gathering, AASU adviser Dr Samujjal Bhattacharya said it would not allow the interest of the indigenous people to suffer at any cost and that the Government must act against the fundamentalist and anti-national forces operating in the State.
�After Bangladeshi infiltration, it is now the fundamentalist elements who are trying to create havoc in Assam. We had been saying that Assam will have to be protected first to protect India, but nobody paid heed. Today, after the Burdwan incident, it became apparent that the soil of Assam is emerging as a hotbed. The anti-national elements had crossed over through the unfenced Indo-Bangla border,� Dr Bhattacharya said.
�We hope with the change in Government at the Centre, there will be a change in attitude towards Assam and its burning problems,� he stated.
The AASU leader said the Assam-Bangla border must be sealed on a war-footing and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) updated with 1971 as the base year within a stipulated time.
�All the tribal belts and blocks are fast being inhabited by Bangladeshis. If things do not improve, it will be a matter of time when a Bangladeshi national will become the Chief Minister of Assam. We cannot allow that to happen and the indigenous people of the State irrespective of caste, creed and religion must get constitutional safeguard,� Dr Bhattacharya asserted.
He said there is no place for communal unrest in the State and all sections of people are committed to thwarting all kinds of nefarious designs.
Lambasting Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi over the issue, said, �The Chief Minister would do well to keep his affinity towards Bangladeshi immigrants in the back seat and act against the disturbing forces. The illegal immigrants will have to go and there is no alternative to that.�
�Assam Accord will have to be implemented in letter and spirit and the problem of flood and erosion has to be given special impetus,� he added... The procession was also joined by All Assam Dewri Students� Association, All Assam Rabha Students� association and the All Bodo Students� Union among other groups and individuals from different walks of life.
