Citizenship Bill: Security tightened as anti-Bill protests intensify in Assam; mass movement across Northeast begins

Protests intensified in Assam against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB), 2016, with the protesters targeting lawmakers wherever they find them. On Sunday, anti-Bill protesters showed black flags to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in Guwahati and Kaliabor in Central Assam as his convoy passed through.

In Assam’s Golaghat district, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) president and state Agriculture Minister Atul Bora got stranded as protesters gheraoed his private residence there. Several other leaders including ministers, MPs and MLAs had to face the wrath of angry protesters.

In Dibrugarh, the AGP office was vandalised by protesters who staged a demonstration outside the private residence of BJP MLA Prasanta Phukan. The AGP that was born out of the Assam Agitation is an ally of the BJP and a constituent of the state’s three-party ruling coalition. Earlier in May last year, the AGP had not only opposed the Bill, but had also threatened to withdraw support from the government, if the Bill is introduced. For its change in stance, the AGP has been scorned by Assamese people who are left with uncertainty surrounding their future.