North East Students’ Organisation resumes anti-CAA stir across region after 2 years

GUWAHATI: The North East Students’ Organisation (Neso) on Wednesday resumed their protests across the region demanding repeal of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) after a gap of two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.The All Assam Students’ Union (Aasu), which is a part of Neso, staged protests in all the district headquarters of Assam amid heavy security. In Guwahati, Aasu leaders staged a protest outside the Swahid Bhawan at Uzanbazar.Neso adviser Samujjal Bhattacharjee said, “The people of Assam can never accept CAA and it has to be repealed. We had to suspend our protests two years ago due to the outbreak of Covid-19 but have now decided to resume it so that CAA is not implemented.”The anger against this legislation, he said, has been burning in the hearts of the people and “our protests against CAA will continue till it is repealed”. He added, “Why should Assam be made to bear the burden of so many people, is it a dumping ground?”CAA aims to grant citizenship to migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.The Khasi Students’ Union, which is also a part of NESO, staged a sit-in protest at the U Kiang Nangbah statue in Shillong and the Garo Students’ Union activists protested in Tura in Meghalaya.Neso chairman Samuel Jyrwa said, “Our demand is that the government implements the Inner Line Permit in the entire region. We also demand the repeal of CAA and the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act.” Neso’s demands include an update of the National Register of Citizens as per the 1951 census and the implementation of the Assam Accord immediately. Neso also demanded the adoption of an education policy for the northeast based on the region’s culture and history, Jyrwa said.Bhattacharjee said Neso demanded an end to the problem of radicalisation, a permanent solution to the foreigners’ issue and complete removal of AFSPA from the region.