Anti-CAA protests begin in Assam

Guwahati:  Fresh agitation against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was launched by 18 organizations in Assam on Friday demanding repeal of the legislation and release of jailed KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi who was taken into custody during the protests last year.
Protest rallies were taken out across the state by the organizations, including Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, All Assam Students Union (AASU), Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad, Lachit Sena, besides students, and youth organizations of ethnic communities.
The agitation began from Sivasagar, where it was launched last year before it was halted due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Mentioning that the CAA was against the identity, language and cultural heritage of the indigenous people of the state, the protestors were demanding that the act be rolled back.
They were also seeking immediate release of KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi.
Addressing the rallies, leaders of the organizations said, the people will give a “fitting reply” to the BJP-led dispensation in Assam in the Assembly elections for allegedly “betraying the people by imposing the CAA upon them despite protests, since its introduction in Parliament till its enactment”.