From execution of two cadres by ULFA (I) to opposing CAA, the week that was
Guwahati, May 8: This week the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) has made headlines after the banned outfit has announced the execution of two cadres who were allegedly involved in spying against the proscribed outfit. Another highlight of the week was the opposition of the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) after Home Minister Amit Shah hinted on the implementation of the Act. Among others, BJP's Mrigen Sarania and Smita Roy were unanimously elected Mayor and Deputy Mayor, respectively, in the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC).
ULFA (I) awards death sentence to two cadres for 'spying'
The ULFA (I) has awarded death sentence to two cadres for allegedly spying for the Assam Police. In a statement issued by the outfit, it said the Assam police had planted Dhanjit Das and Sanjib Sarma to provide information about the activities of ULFA (I). It further said that the execution was conducted on Saturday as per the outfit's laws.
Das was from Barpeta while Sharma was from Baihata Chariali. The proscribed outfit further claimed that Das tried to escape from the camp but was later captured. The outfit further stated that both the cadres confessed about their involvement with the law enforcement officials.
Earlier, the outfit released the video of Sharma, where he confessed about how he was allegedly sent to join the ULFA (I) by Assam Police to gather inside information about the outfit and destroy its bases in different locations.
AASU, NESO opposes move to enforce CAA
Following Union Home Minister Amit Shah's assertion on the implementation of CAA, the North East Students' Organisation (NESO) and the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) said that mass movements would resume if the Centre tried to "impose the law".
Shah during a rally in West Bengal hinted at the implementation of the law in the country once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
While he assured the people of Bengal about the enforcement of the law, the student organisations from Northeast India stated that they would continue to protest against the law till it is withdrawn.
AASU president Dipankar Nath and general secretary Sankarjyoti Baruah said Assam was not ready to accept anyone, whether Hindu or Muslim, as a citizen who had entered after the deadline that had been set by the Assam Accord, i.e., March 25, 1971.
The two organisations underlined that they have taken legal recourse against CAA, and the mass movements against the Act, which was suspended due to examinations and the pandemic, would resume if the Centre did not pay heed to their demand.
Mrigen Sarania retains mayor post in GMC polls
BJP's Mrigen Sarania and Smita Roy were unanimously elected Mayor and Deputy Mayor, respectively, in the GMC elections.
This will be the second term for Sarania as the GMC mayor. Earlier, he held the position from 2016-18. While Sarania won from ward number 29, Roy won from ward number 22.
The ruling BJP alliance swept the Guwahati Municipal polls by registering a landslide victory, while BJP won 52 wards its ally the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) won 6 wards making it a total of 58 out of 60 wards. The opposition Congress party, could not manage to win a single ward and was completely decimated in the elections.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has also opened its account for the first time by winning ward no 42, while regional party Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) won ward no 1.
