Beauty and peace prevailed along the banks of the Brahmaputra at Chikarighat in Assam’s Golaghat district as a large gathering of picnickers ushered in the New year with fun and feasting.

The revellers gathered at the historic spot amid the ongoing protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

A port on the Brahmaputra, Chikarighat, 10km off Dergaon town south of National Highway 37, was used by the British for trade and commerce.

Nearly 400 picnic parties with around 5,000 people were spotted at the site among the sandy banks and expanse of mustard fields.

However, thoughts of the amended citizenship lawwere not entirely out of their minds. Some visitors said they were not quite as happy to celebrate New Year’s Day in view of the prevailing situation in the state but had come out to celebrate as part of their annual tradition.

Most of the visitors comprised local residents. Several other picnic spots were closed.

Putali Hazarika, 73, a resident of Dergaon Kamargaon, said the mighty Brahmaputra would wash away all the bad records of the state and the New Year would bring peace and prosperity to the Assamese people.

“We, the seniors, want peace and progress of the nation and particularly the betterment of the youths in all respects,” she said.

Bedanta Barua, a resident of Baruabamungaon in Golaghat district, said despite having come for the picnic, his protest against CAA would continue.

“We will never stop protesting against the CAA in any situation,” he said.

Amidst the statewide protests against the CAA from the month of December 2019 and due to the CAA effect it is seen that there is no celebration for the New Year 2020 in Demow this time.

“This is the first time I have seen the markets with very less customers on the December 31,” said a businessman of Demow.

On Wednesday no picnic party was seen at the spots to celebrate the New Year. Most of the business establishments remained open in Demow on January 1. On the other hand the All Assam Students Union and 30 ethnic organizations paid tributes to six CAA agitation martyrs in front of the office of All Assam Students Union (AASU), Demow Regional Committee on Wednesday evening in Demow. The tributes were paid to the six CAA Martyrs by lighting earthen lamps.

In the Tributes programme the AASU, Demow Regional Committee leaders, different leaders of the local organizations of Demow, artist along with other dignitaries were present. The Businessmen Establishments of Demow also pays tributes to the six CAA Martyrs by lighting earthen lamps in front of their respective shops on Wednesday evening.

Additional reporting by Aurobinda Dey in Demow