HT Correspondent
SIVASAGAR, Aug 28: Student and youth organisations in Sivasagar, excluding AASU, have called for a total boycott of fish from the Nagaon district following reports of Nagaon fish traders threatening to stop sending fish to Sivasagar. Partha Pratim Gogoi, secretary of Sivasagar District ATASU, stated on Wednesday that there will be no let-up in their agitation against suspected Bangladeshis residing in Upper Assam. He mentioned that the people here are prepared to live without the formalin-dipped “salani” fish (transported fish) from Nagaon, which he believes will be beneficial for their health.
Meanwhile, a prohibitory order under Section 163 BNSS, 2024, was issued by Sivasagar District Magistrate Aditya Vikram Yadav, IAS, on August 23 in response to a recent incident involving an attack on an adolescent girl and the subsequent public reactions. The District Magistrate noted in the order that there may be a threat to public peace and tranquillity, as well as the safety of tourists visiting the region’s ancient monuments, based on reports from various sources. The order prohibits gatherings of more than five persons in public places, the organisation of rallies or meetings, the collection of subscriptions in any form from individuals, business establishments, or institutions, and the intimidation of anyone for such subscriptions. The order took immediate effect and will remain in place for 60 days or until further notice.
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Basanta Gogoi, president of ATASU, told this correspondent on Wednesday that the prohibitory order was absolutely uncalled for, as the situation in Sivasagar has been and continues to be completely peaceful. He expressed concern that the police administration’s road march might send the wrong signal to people outside the district.
The administration’s decision may have been influenced by ongoing agitation against suspected Bangladeshi nationals migrating to Upper Assam districts, including Sivasagar. Over 30 organisations, including ATASU, TAYPA, Bir Lachit Sena, and Sangrami Sena Asom, have called for a total boycott of the suspected Bangladeshi nationals, who are believed to be gradually changing the demographic pattern of the state. The district’s Executive Magistrate has already issued 27 summonses to the leaders of these organisations as a pre-emptive measure against further public agitations over the issue. These populations, previously concentrated mostly in Barak Valley, Nagaon, and the lower Assam districts, have recently infiltrated into the nooks and corners of the Upper Assam districts as well.
