ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa on Monday come down strongly against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, and warned the Centre that the ongoing peace talks may collapse if the controversial bill is passed in the Parliament.
Rajkhowa on Monday participated in a mass protest and signature campaign at Thana Chariali in Dibrugarh against the controversial bill.
The pro-talks ULFA leader said that the Centre should take immediate steps to scrap the bill since it poses a great threat to the culture, language and identity of the Assamese people.
Rajkhowa who has been leading the peace talks with the Centre since 2011 added that there was no point in continuing the negotiation process if the Centre was determined to pass the controversial bill that will put the people of the State at a great disadvantage.
“We strongly oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 since it will jeopardize the future the indigenous people. Our culture, language and identity will be at stake if the bill is passed. We are not going to allow it. Our land cannot take the burden of any more outsiders. The primary agenda of our peace talks was to ensure the constitutional safeguard of the people of Assam. What is the point in continuing the peace talks if the Centre is hell bent on passing the bill? I appeal to every citizen of the State to come and raise his voice against the bill,” Rajkhowa said.