GUWAHATI, Oct 27 - Voluntary organisation Save Guwahati Build Guwahati (SGBG) has reiterated that only Constitutional safeguards can solve the myriad problems of the people of Assam, who are facing a threat to their very identity and existence under the present circumstances.
According to former SGBG president Dhiren Baruah, all sections of people feel that the Government of India should immediately come forward with provisions to provide Constitutional safeguards to all indigenous groups of people ensuring their social, political, economic and cultural rights.
The SGBG members and conscious citizens of society at a meeting held recently felt the need to address the issue urgently in the backdrop of current apprehensions pertaining to the proposal of citizenship to Hindu Bangladeshis and its impact on the socio-cultural fabric of Assam.
The SGBG referred to its seven-point charter of demands regarding Constitutional safeguards, which include reservation of seats in the State Assembly as per the demographic pattern reflected in the 1951 Census report and the electoral rolls of 1952; stopping land transfer by way of sale, gift and donation or by any means to non-indigenous people; protection of agricultural land and the land rights of genuine patta holders; making forest land, water bodies, hills, etc., free from encroachment and economic safeguards to the indigenous people.
�Justice delayed is justice denied. The Union government must take an immediate decision in this regard so that the people of Assam can be assured of a secure future,� Baruah said.
Social activist Ajoy Dutta, while expressing solidarity with the demand for Constitutional safeguards, said that it is a demand from all sections of the society and a united effort should be made to achieve this.
