Assam AASU, tribal bodies unite against influx
Posted by jagoindia on August 28, 2008
AASU, tribal bodies unite against influx
Correspondent
GUWAHATI, Aug 27 – With the problem of infiltration of Bangladeshi immigrants now spreading to tribal belts of Assam, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) today joined hands with two tribal students’ unions to fight the problem in an effective manner. The AASU leadership held discussions with the Karbi Students’ Union (KSU) and All Dimasa Students’ Union (ADSU) here and resolved to fight the infiltration problem together.
Besides announcing a series of agitations, the student organisations further called for ‘economic boycott’ of all suspected nationals and stressed a massive awareness drive. The student bodies appealed to all people not to engage any suspected national in work and hinted that the AASU was working out a module to substitute the illegal Bangladeshi workforce with the indigenous people.
The AASU, which had been holding a series of deliberations with student bodies of different indigenous tribes over the infiltration issue, further informed that it would hold talks with other student bodies as well to make a holistic impact.
AASU advisor Dr Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya told reporters after the meeting that they have decided to stage a Satyagraha in Diphu on September 13, a public meeting at Haflong on September 28 and form a human chain as a measure of protest in Guwahati on October 1.
“We also warn the Centre and the State Government not facilitate the stay or entry of Bangladeshis in the State. The illegal migrants will have to leave the State and we will continue to intensify the agitation until the same is ensured,” Dr Bhattacharya pointed out, adding “The future course of action would be chalked out after the end of the first phase of our agitation.”
He further warned the vested interest circles not to give the process of identification and deportation of illegal Bangladeshis a political colour.
The influx has posed severe threat to the identity of the indigenous
people in the State including the tribals. The student groups criticized the political parties for lacking the will to solve the Bangladeshi infiltration issue.
Speaking on the occasion, Stelin Ingti, president, Karbi Students’ Union rued that the Karbi Anglong district too is facing the brunt of the infiltration.
“Around one lakh illegal migrants are staying in the district, which is a dangerous sign. The issue of illegal infiltration is not the problem of any student body or any particular district, it is the problem of the entire State,” Ingti stated.
Urging the people to help in identifying the illegal migrants, Prafulla Sadila, president, All Assam Dimasa Students’ Union also reiterated the need for a holistic approach on the part of the Government to do away with the menace.
