TURA, Jan 16 - Anger and protests over the passing of the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB), 2016, continue in Garo Hills. A group of NGOs today organised a sit-in demonstration in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills to express their condemnation and opposition to the passing of the Bill in the Lok Sabha by the BJP-led NDA Government.
The protest today saw the participation of GSMC, FAF, Mother�s Union, AAYF, FKJGP, ICFS, AAYWS, AYC, among others of the Garo Hills region under the banner of the All Garo Hills Joint Action Committee (AGHJAC).
The leaders also met the deputy commissioner, Ram Singh to hand over a memorandum addressed to State Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on the matter. The memorandum sought the CM to immediately call for a special Assembly session to showcase the demand of the people of the State to the Central Government.
The JAC stated that it would not accept the Bill at any cost and demanded its complete withdrawal.
�There will be a threat to the identity of the indigenous people of the region if the CAB is passed in the Rajya Sabha and becomes an Act. It will also add to the problem of influx of illegal migrants already being faced in the State,� stated the memorandum submitted to the CM.
The sit-in protest witnessed protesters shouting slogans against the NDA Government for forcefully passing the Bill and promised to fight tooth and nail to ensure the Bill did not become an Act. The protesters later burnt an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The AGHJAC further announced a road blockade in Garo Hills on January 18 from 8 pm to 5 am over the issue.
