More than a lakh sons and daughters of the soil are taking part in what has been observed as one of the biggest rallies against the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act in Assam.
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Organized by the Dibrugarh unit of the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) that has spearheaded the protests against Assam, the massive protest is also seeing the participation of many indigenous organizations, as well as the general citizenry of the district.
Addressing the mega gathering, AASU General Secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi said, "At no time will oppression and temptation put an end to the democratic protests of the Assamese. The price of the martyrs' blood will have to be repaid by Delhi and Dispur. The account of every blow that fell on every man, woman, and student will be taken by the people of Assam."
Lurin's passionate words evoked thunderous applause from the people at the gathering that was comprised of people from all walks of life -- including a great number of women. Donning the traditional Assamese gamusa on their heads, the women screamed slogans of 'Joi Aai Axom', during a vibrant and colorful display of Assamese nationalism.
Although Guwahati was initially the 'ground zero' of the protests, which saw massive seas of agitators marching to Dispur to gherao the Assam Secretariat, the second phase of the agitation has been marked by the fervid protests in Upper Assam.
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Dibrugarh district, home to many indigenous tribes, has also seen its fair share of protests, with a prominent local leader of 'Bir Lachit Sena', Shrinkhal Chaliha, being arrested yesterday. Chaliha's arrest from a protest rally created an uproar, with locals surrounding the local Police Station after his arrest.
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