HT Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, Aug 18: The North East Minority Students’ Union (NEMSU) has issued a fatwa against drug consumption, drug trafficking, and child marriage within the religious minority community.
The decision was taken at the general meeting of the Kokrajhar district unit of NEMSU, held at Prashanti Lodge in Kokrajhar on Sunday in the presence of student union members from different anchalik committees across the region.
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Addressing the gathering, NEMSU president Badarul Islam expressed deep concern over the rising menace of drug abuse and trafficking in the state, particularly within the minority community in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
He warned that there would be no compromise on this issue, adding that the students’ union had resolved several measures to eradicate drug abuse among citizens.
NEMSU resolved that no individual in the minority community would be allowed to engage in drug use or the drug trade.
Anyone found involved would be reported to the police and also socially boycotted from the Muslim community.
Islam further stated that families linked to such individuals would be barred from participating in marriages or any other social functions.
He added that NEMSU would maintain strict vigilance on child marriages and other anti-social activities, and take strong action with the help of the administration.
On the issue of peace in BTR, Islam said the region had achieved peace after long years of struggle and sacrifice, and stressed that this peace must not be disturbed under any circumstances.
However, he expressed concern that controversial remarks made by BJP state president Dilip Saikia could create unrest in the region, and appealed to him to refrain from making statements that hurt the sentiments of ethnic and religious communities.
Islam also criticised Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging that his repeated use of the term “strangers” (Achinaki) in reference to certain communities had caused mental distress to many.
He recalled that in the past the Chief Minister had carried out evictions and persecution against minority Muslims, including forcing some into detention despite being Indian citizens.
“If the Chief Minister continues with such divisive politics, by 2026 even his chair may become ‘unfamiliar’ to the people,” Islam stated.
On the upcoming BTC elections, the NEMSU president said the organisation would hold discussions with its members and intellectuals before taking the next political decision.
He also mentioned that the present UPPL-led BTR government was working for the welfare and development of citizens, and that all sections of people were now experiencing peace and tranquility.
