Assam: Opposition Parties Intensify Anti-CAA Protests Amid Modi's Visit
Representational Image.
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Assam for a two-day visit, protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) escalated, with student bodies and political parties intensifying their demonstrations.
The United Opposition Forum, Assam (UOFA), which consists of 16 parties, organised a sit-in protest at Kaliabor Tiniali, located approximately 50km from Kohora, where the Prime Minister was staying overnight.
In the evening, the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and 30 other organisations conducted a memorial event where they lit lamps in honour of five individuals who lost their lives during the anti-CAA movement in 2019.
Modi arrived in the state on Friday afternoon and stayed at the Assam police guest house near Central Kohora Range in Kaziranga National Park.
Assam Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi announced that if the opposition bloc INDIA is elected to power in the upcoming General elections, their first cabinet meeting would focus on repealing the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
He also stated his decision not to receive the Prime Minister at Panbari helipad, expressing opposition to welcoming someone seen as "working against the interests of the Assamese community."
Earlier On Wednesday, the 16-party United Opposition Forum in Assam announced its plan to hold a sit-in protest at Kaliabor on March 9 if Prime Minister Modi does not meet with them to discuss their concerns regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
The forum issued this ultimatum after requesting a meeting with Modi to address the anticipated volatile situation regarding the CAA.
Assam PCC president Bhupen Kumar Borah conveyed the protest announcement through a post on X on Wednesday evening, stating, "We, the 16-Party United Opposition Forum - Assam, have requested a meeting with the Hon'ble Prime Minister ... at Kaziranga, during his Assam visit, to explain our opposition to CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act). Our stand is clear: we won't accept CAA."
The post added: "If the @PMOIndia doesn't grant us an appointment, the United Opposition Forum would sit in protest at Kaliabor on March 9, from 10 AM onwards."
Get the latest reports & analysis with people's perspective on Protests, movements & deep analytical videos, discussions of the current affairs in your Telegram app. Subscribe to NewsClick's Telegram channel & get Real-Time updates on stories, as they get published on our website.
