Assam student body stages 11-hour hunger strike demanding removal of illegal immigrants

The All Assam Students' Union launched a statewide hunger strike on September 4, protesting what they call systematic demographic changes threatening the state's indigenous identity.

The 11-hour demonstration rejected the Centre's new immigration order and reiterated that "Assam will not accept any division of foreigners on religious lines."

Starting at 6 am across all district headquarters, the protest centered on key demands including the immediate eviction of illegal immigrants regardless of religion and early implementation of the Assam Accord. The main demonstration took place at Dighalipukhuri in Guwahati, with similar protests organised in every district.

AASU leader Utpal Sharma expressed growing frustration among Assamese people, stating that the government was using numerical superiority to suppress indigenous communities. "Be they Hindus or Muslims, all foreigners must leave Assam," Sharma declared, demanding that borders be sealed and calling for Assam's exemption from the Citizenship Amendment Act.

The student organisation criticised what it sees as differential treatment, arguing that while four northeastern states and eight Assam districts remain exempt from certain immigration policies, the state continues bearing the burden of demographic pressure.

Sharma addressed the recent recognition of five youths killed during anti-CAA protests as martyrs by the Chief Minister, questioning whether their deaths were justified for granting citizenship to foreign nationals. He emphasised that despite previous talks with various governments, AASU would continue protesting against laws they believe are imposed without proper consultation.

The protest comes amid renewed tensions over immigration policies, with AASU maintaining its position that Assam's unique situation requires different approaches compared to other states. The organisation has called for scrapping the Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025 in Assam, arguing that the state's border dynamics demand specialised solutions.

The hunger strike follows recent political developments, with protesters asserting that "Assam lost five lives during the earlier anti-CAA protests" and demanding accountability for what they consider ongoing threats to the state's demographic composition.