Thousands of protesters staged a two-hour sit-in against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act at Moran in Upper Assam’s Dibrugarh district on Saturday.

The protest was organised by Greater Moran Bengali Samaj in association with several organisations. There is a sizeable Hindu Bengali population in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts.

“We are the part of greater Assamese society, born and brought up in Assam and working hand in hand with other communities for development. We stand with other communities against CAA as it is a ploy to divide us. We are indigenous Bengali living in Assam for decades,” said Ranjan Sen, a protester.

“Assam is our motherland. The Bengali Samaj vehemently opposes CAA because it is an anti-Assam and unconstitutional act. We are living in peace and tranquillity for decades and we have assimilated with the Assamese culture but the government is trying to create a division in society,” said Kajal Das, another protester.

AJYCP vice-president Ranjit Changmai sought implementation of inner-line permit in Assam. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah should understand that the self-respect of Assamese people can never be defeated. The people are never going to accept CAA. We need constitutional safeguards like ILP to secure the future of the locals. If Manipur and Meghalaya can get ILP, why can’t Assam?” he asked.

At Doomdooma in Tinsukia district, AJYCP general secretary Kanchan Bora told the gathering: “As the cloud has covered the sun, CAA has covered our existence. We would like to convey our message to Delhi and Dispur that the people of Assam are never going to accept this anti-Assam and unconstitutional Act. Ultimately it will have to go as faith can move mountains.”

Most shops at Pengaree bazar, Phillobari, Mung Gang bazar and Bijulibon remained closed as traders, shopowners and workers participated in the gana samavesh (people’s congregation). Two more rallies against CAA will be held on Sunday in the district.

Tribute: Activists of All Assam Students’ Union and locals on Saturday paid tribute to four martyrs of Assam Agitation — Nagen Deka, Ajit Neog, Kumud Gogoi and Nripen Borah — at Duliajan. AASU general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi said, “We will continue our agitation according to the ideologies of 855 martyrs, who sacrificed their lives to deport illegal foreigners.”

Additional reporting by Manoj Kumar Ojha in Doomdooma and Pradip Kumar Neog in Duliajan