Hundreds of members of the Asom Badhir Sangstha on Saturday staged a demonstration against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, at Lakhiram Baruah Sadan, Dighalipukhuripar here, using gestures and displaying placards, banners and paintings, showing their opposition to the Act.

The secretary of the Sangstha, Tapan Sharma, said, “At a time when thousands of differently abled indigenous people of the state are crying for a minimum means of living, the government is making a move to naturalise a sizable number of foreign nationals. It will reduce the limited opportunities reserved for the indigenous people.”

Sharma said these fresh citizens will enjoy privileges on a par with the indigenous people getting a share of the limited opportunities, including land, jobs and other privileges like public distribution system, health and education.”

Sharma said the Sangstha would always remain with the people of Assam until the Act was withdrawn.

Sangita Saloi, a hearing-impaired girl from Beltola, said, “We cannot shout and argue with others. However, God has gifted us emotions and sentiments. We realise what is right and wrong for our motherland. Hence, we are expressing our solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are on the streets against CAA.”

The lectures delivered by representatives of various organisations were interpreted by an expert of the Sangstha so that the differently abled audience could understand. Senior journalist Manjit Mahanta, pro-talks Ulfa leader Anup Chetia, Cotton University students, representatives from Pratibandhi Suraksha Sangs-tha, Asom Songrami Moncha and others joined the protest.