Dibrugarh, Sept 2: A major demonstration unfolded in Dibrugarh on Monday as 32 local organizations rallied for the rights of indigenous Assamese people. Echoing similar recent protests in Sivasagar, the demonstrators voiced their concerns over issues such as women’s safety and land encroachment by non-Assamese communities.
Chanting slogans and carrying banners, protestors condemned the “depleting state of affairs in Assam.” One protestor passionately declared the need to protect indigenous land and identity from what they described as unchecked encroachment by non-Assamese people.
The organizations submitted a comprehensive list of 11 demands to the government. Key among these demands are the introduction of a land law to regulate the buying and selling of land, establishing an indigenous market for self-employment opportunities, and redistributing surplus land from large landowners to poor landless indigenous people.
The protestors also called for the closure of non-Assamese business establishments, 100 percent job reservations for Assamese in Dibrugarh district, and mandated that business names be displayed in Assamese. Additionally, they demanded a restriction on loud music during festivals like Holi and BolBom, urging non-Assamese residents to respect Assamese traditions and coexist peacefully.
Further demands included the closure of non-Assamese organizations in Dibrugarh, a declaration of 1951 as the base year for identifying and deporting foreigners in Assam, and the removal of smart meters in the state.
The demonstrators stressed that any actions against indigenous people could lead to a recurrence of unrest seen in Sivasagar and Tinsukia. Through their unified and assertive stand, these 32 organizations aim to ensure the preservation of Assamese identity and address the grievances of the indigenous populace.
Original Story https://assamtribune.com/assam/dibrugarh-erupts-in-protest-32-local-groups-demand-protection-of-assamese-rights-1550085
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