AASU Leader Samujjal Bhattacharya Demands ILP in Assam

Guwahati, January 22, 2020:

Amid murmurs that the Centre is mulling extending the Inner Line Permit (ILP) to Assam amid the ruckus over the Citizenship Act, All Assam Students' Union (AASU) leader has stated that the ILP has been a long-standing demand of the student body.

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Talking to Inside Northeast, the AASU leader stated that the AASU and its parent body,  the NESO (Northeast Students' Union) have decided that the ILP should be there in all of Assam. "The provision was there for Assam, but it was withdrawn on the same day that the CAA was implemented. It is our demand that the ILP be implemented in all of the Northeastern states..."

Talking on the lines of the Supreme Court's proceedings earlier today, Bhattacharya stated, "One thing...the Supreme Court has decided to form a 5-Judge constitutional panel to look into the matter of the CAA. Secondly, the Court has directed the Centre to give a reply on all 144 petitions within 4 weeks, and they have demanded to listen to the Government. Our demand is the stay of the CAA and the scrapping of the CAA, so let's see where this is headed.. On the 5th week there will be hearings, where the issue of stay will be broached."

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Samujjal also welcomed the Court's decision to give special importance to Assam and Tripura due to the volatility of the region. "In Assam, the situation is different..it is a question of existence. In Assam, there is Assam Accord...which states that anyone, irrespective of religion, will be deported if they arrive post 1971."

Bhattacharya further added that the AASU is anxiously awaiting the report from the Central Government, however, he forewarned that continuous, non-violent and democratic protests against the CAA would continue in the state of Assam until the Centre kowtows to the will of the people and rolls back the legislation.

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