Batadrava BJP legislator Angoorlata Deka, a staunch supporter of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, on Tuesday faced black flag protests by All Assam Students Union (AASU) activists at Dhing in her constituency. En route, Youth Congress workers tried to stage a shirtless protest at Raidingiya.
She said three youths tried to to take off their shirts at Raidingiya, about 14km from here, when her convoy was passing through. “I was going from my home at Jajori to Dhing for foundation-laying ceremonies. Some youths tried to stage a shirtless protest on the way. Two of the youths had a minor scuffle with some of BJP supporters and police, while the other fled,” she said.
However, local villagers alleged that BJP activists assaulted six Congress workers after an altercation over the bill. Sources said one of the assaulted youths is an office-bearer of local Youth Congress unit.
Jajori police station officer-in-charge Prabin Bharali said six youths started running towards the convoy but when they reached the road, it had already crossed. “Our team asked them to leave the spot to avoid any untoward situation. They listened and left immediately,” he said.
No case has been registered so far with Nagaon police.
The legislator’s brush with anti-bill protesters did not end at Raidingiya. “We had taken out a motorbike rally, involving 700 to 800 youths, at Dhing, after 11 foundation-laying ceremonies, when some AASU workers staged a black flag protest. We showed full respect because it is their democratic right to protest. No untoward incident took place,” Deka said.
However, sources said, there were brief exchanges between the protesters and the BJP workers at Dhing too.
Later, Deka said: “I strongly believe the bill is not going to have any impact on our language and culture. The bill, if enacted, will be applicable across the country. The chief minister has very clearly explained there will be no impact of the bill on Assam.”
Attack arrest
Police on Tuesday arrested one more accused in connection with the assault on BJP’s Tinsukia unit president Lakheswar Moran, taking the tally of arrested to seven.
Tinsukia SP Shiladitya Chetia said: “The accused was seen assaulting the victim in the video footage available. Some accused are on the run. We shall arrest them soon.”
Additional reporting by Rishu Kalantri in Tinsukia