|
Arunachal Pradesh : Anti-migrant drive invites AAMSU wrath |
 |
The anti-migrant drive launched by the Arunachal Pradesh government has invited the wrath of All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) which has announced an indefinite economic block¬ade along National Highway 52, the lifeline of the state, from Sept. 18.
The AAMSU has described the drive as “unnecessary and unlawful harassment” of minorities from Assam living in Arunachal Pradesh by the All Nyishi Students Union during Operation Clean Drive.
The president of the union’s North Lakhimpur unit, Zia-ur Rahman, said on Sept. 17 that his association would clamp an indefinite economic blockade on Banderdewa and Kimin, the two main entry gates of Arunachal Pradesh.
“We have decided to impose an indefinite economic blockade on Arunachal Pradesh in protest against the anti-migrant drive which saw an exodus of at least 2,000 to 3,000 Muslims from Arunachal Pradesh. We announced our decision on the road blockade at a meeting, which was attended by 10,000 Muslims, at Laluk in North Lakhimpur on Sept.16.
The union strongly condemned the atrocities meted out to the innocent labourers by student unions in the name of detection and deportation of illegal migrants,” Rahman said. He also criti¬cised the Arunachal Pradesh government for turning a blind eye to these “atrocities.” State Home Minister Jarbom Gamlin had told reporters a week ago that Arunachal has nearly 8,000 Bangladeshi migrants.
The All Nyishi Students Union and All Papum Pare District Students Union had served a quit notice on illegal Bangladeshi migrants on September 6 to leave the state within five days. The student bodies launched the first phase of Operation Clean Drive on September 12.
State PCC president Nabam Tuki told a press meet that the government supported both the student unions in their drive to flush out illegal Bangladeshi migrants in the state. All Nyishi Students Union (ANSU) president Niglar Veo said they had never targeted against any community or religious group.
“We have made our intentions very clear. The drive was launched to free the state of illegal Bangladeshi migrants, not to harm or harass anyone,” Veo added.
|
