GUWAHATI: The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has announced a robust series of protests beginning September 4, intensifying its decades-long fight against the unabated influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh. The student body is gearing up for a sustained period of agitation across the state to pressure the government into action on a matter it deems critical for Assam’s future.
The protest calendar kicks off with an 11-hour hunger strike on September 4. This will be followed by demonstrations on September 16 and the formation of human chains on September 20, culminating in massive rallies across the state on September 23. This staggered approach is designed to maintain pressure and visibility on the issue over the course of the month.
According to AASU, the unchecked influx has led to a large-scale encroachment on indigenous lands, including tribal belts, agricultural farms, lands belonging to Vaishnavite monasteries (sattras), and vital forest reserves. This is, they assert, directly threatening the political rights, unique culture, economic stability, and demographic balance of Assam’s indigenous communities.
In a stark warning, AASU leaders also highlighted the alleged entry of fundamentalist groups alongside migrants. They claim this poses a significant risk to not just Assam’s internal security but also to the broader national security framework. The organisation reiterated its core demand for the immediate identification and expulsion of all illegal migrants, a call that has been central to their movement since the Assam Accord of 1985. The planned protests signal a renewed and fervent push to finally see this long-pending issue addressed.
Read More: Assam’s Criminal Justice System Sees Unprecedented Transformation