Protests across several Assam districts intensified under the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU)’s ongoing “Satyagraha” campaign, demanding stricter action against illegal immigration and opposing any move to extend Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protections to undocumented immigrants.
In Golaghat, members and volunteers of the local AASU unit marched through the streets with banners declaring “Bangladeshi Go Back,” shouting anti-CAA and Assam Accord slogans. Our correspondent reports that demonstrators pressed for immediate implementation of the Biplab Kumar Sarma Committee’s recommendations under Article 6 of the Accord, which deal with detection and deportation of illegal immigrants.
Similar conspicuous demonstrations took place in Biswanath and Nalbari. In Biswanath Chariali, student protesters accused the government of sidelining clauses of the Assam Accord while reportedly enabling settlement of undocumented Bangladeshis in Assam. Our correspondent adds that protesters also condemned past delays in implementing essential provisions and warned that further postponements of CAA deadlines could dilute Assam’s rights.
Meanwhile in Nalbari, nearly two hundred students staged sit-in demonstrations near district headquarters, echoing slogans such as “Assam Accord Implementation” and “Down with CAA.” AASU members voiced concerns that the 36 years since the Accord’s signing have seen many clauses remain unfulfilled.
AASU vice-president Bhabajit Bezbaruah declared today that Assam will never accept CAA or laws that threaten indigenous identity, urging the government not to extend legal protections to undocumented immigrants under CAA. Our correspondent reports that such protests aim to remind authorities of the grassroots demand for preservation of culture, identity, and legal recognition, grounded in genuine indigenous concerns.
The Satyagraha, which began on August 27, gathered momentum with hunger strikes and symbolic demonstrations. Planned future actions include human chain formations across AASU units on September 20, and mass rallies in district headquarters on September 23, to further amplify the demands. Our correspondent adds that AASU’s strategy underlines non-violent civil resistance, aiming to draw public and political attention through coordinated and increasing displays of unity.
