HSDC leaders speaking to reporters in Diphu on Monday. Image: Northeast Now

Left leaning Hill State Demand Committee (HSDC) and its wing Karbi Students Association (KSA) and allied organisations have extended support to the 12-hour bandh call given by KMSS and 46 other organisations against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, HSDC general secretary Laichan Engleng said, “HSDC and allied organisations KSA and others are supporting the 12-hour Assam bandh on October 23. When the BJP led government cannot give opportunities to its citizens and safeguard the identity of different ethnic groups in the country, how can people from outside be given citizenship here? We totally oppose the Union government’s move for passing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016.”

KSA president Simeon Rongphar said, “If the Hindu Bangladeshis are granted citizenship then the demographic pattern will change and the ethnic groups will be affected.”

As many as 46 organizations have jointly called for a 12-hour Assam bandh on Tuesday in protest against the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

Nongee Terang is Northeast Now Correspondent in Diphu. He can be reached at: [email protected]