Protests continues against Citizenship Bill, while tribal body calls strike against ST Bill

GUWAHATI: The 12-hour bandh called by Coordination Committee of the Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA) against the bill on granting ST status to six ethnic communities of Assam evoked mixed response, while the protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 continued across the state on Friday. The strike did not affect Guwahati where shops remained open and vehicles plied on the road through the day.

The strike was total in areas administered under the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council.

In many places bandh supporters blocked roads by burning tyres and also pelted stones on vehicles for defying the strike. Several bandh supporters were also detained by police in different parts of the state for trying to enforce the strike.

CCTOA opposed the Centre’s move to grant ST status to Tai Ahom, Koch Rajbongshi, Chutiya, Tea Tribes, Moran and Matak communities in the state. The bill is now in the Rajya Sabha.

CCTOA chief convener Aditya Khakhlari said the bill will impact rights of existing tribal. CCTOA’s bandh was also against the Citizenship Amendment Bill.

Meanwhile, protest continued against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016. A man staged nude protest in front of Jorhat deputy commissioner’s office against the Bill, while students, lawyers and activists of different organisations took to the street in different parts of the state.