HT Digital,
Guwahati, March 5: The United Opposition Forum in Assam, a coalition of 16 national, regional, and local political parties, has requested a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This request is made to discuss the recent developments in Assam following Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement of the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha Election.
The letter to the Prime Minister was penned by the heads of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) and the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), Bhupen Kumar Borah and Lurinjyoti Gogoi, respectively.
They wrote on behalf of the United Opposition Forum, expressing the opposition and discontent among the people of Assam and various political parties towards the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 since its introduction in Parliament.
The letter highlighted the protests and agitations that took place in late 2019 and early 2020, which resulted in injuries to several hundred people and the death of five youths due to police firing. The letter emphasized the role of the opposition parties in voicing the concerns of the people.
The United Opposition Forum has expressed strong concern over the potential impact of the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 on Assam. The forum believes that the Act could threaten the culture, history, socio-economic status, social fabric and identity of the Assamese people.
Furthermore, the forum stated that the Act could nullify the Assam Accord of 1985, considered crucial for the state’s people. The delegation seeks an urgent meeting to discuss the potential volatile situation resulting from the Act’s implementation. They hope to meet during a proposed visit to Assam on March 8 and 9, 2024, and are awaiting a positive response.
