Abhishek Saha

Sarma’s remarks come days after the AASU leadership talked about a new political alternative to take the anti-CAA movement forward in the state.

The agreement says the group has “agreed to abjure violence, come overground and join the peace process by being a signatory to the proposed comprehensive Memorandum of Settlement with Bodo organisations”. The move comes as a boost to the ongoing peace talks with Bodo groups since all the factions are now on board, an official said.

"We are challenging the Act because it attacks the fundamental rights of the individuals belonging to the tribal communities, with respect to their persecution as a trans-border tribal community as well as their status in neighbouring countries."

While AASU has previously cited “people’s demand” to describe the need for a new front, the Congress has said that there is “space” for one.

The NRC preparation in Assam started following a December 2014 order by the Supreme Court, and continued thereafter under its direct monitoring.

The Constitution (126th Amendment) Bill, 2019, extending reservations to SC/STs in the legislature by another 10 years, was unanimously ratified during the session, which was held to pass a resolution ratifying the Bill cleared by Parliament.

Conrad, whose National People’s Party is an ally of the BJP in Meghalaya, has been vocal about protection of rights of the people of Meghalaya in the light of the amended citizenship law.

The words ‘No CAA’ and its variants have been carved out to be burnt at several celebration spots.

A senior state government official ruled out the possibility of Modi’s visit getting “cancelled”, as “there was no confirmation ever for a visit to cancel now”.

Himanta Biswa Sarma also urged All-Assam Students’ Union’s (AASU) adviser Samujjal Bhattacharya to join the BJP and work for the people on behalf of the party.

A senior police office said that a case was registered against the IPS officer in Guwahati on January 3 based on a complaint by the mother of the victim.

Naresh Koch, aged around 56 years, was at the detention centre for two years and is the 29th inmate to die in Assam’s six detention centres, according to government data.

Addressing the meet, state Finance Minister Himanta Biswa said that three years ago there was only “one Ajmal”, referring to Lok Sabha MP and AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, but today there are “lakhs and lakhs of Ajmals”.

“We do not have any hesitation in joining hands with all anti-CAA, anti-BJP and anti-communal forces in the interest of Assam,” state Congress president Ripun Bora said.

Established in 1917, the Asom Sahitya Sabha has been active in the current protests against the implementation of the CAA. On December 31, the Chief Minister announced that the state government would provide Rs. 10 crore to Corpus Fund of Asom Sahitya Sabha.

Four people had died in alleged police firing while another two died allegedly during violence by miscreants last month.

His remarks came amid demonstrations across the state against the amended citizenship law by student organisations, artistes, academics and eminent citizens.

Assam’s new NRC coordinator Hitesh Dev Sarma said, “The priority right now is to prepare a status report for the RGI on the work that has been done till now.

The orders come even as educational institutions across the state have come out strongly in protest against the new citizenship law.