Chabua residents have been irked by the Thursday’s provocative speech of Khumtai BJP MLA Mrinal Saikia.
He was addressing the BJP workers in a meeting in Chabua on Thursday.
“If they hit one of our workers, you hit 10 of them. If they come to burn your houses, you also set their houses on fire,” Saikia had said in Chabua on Thursday.
“We came out for the development of people, therefore, we should move forward. The protesters have burnt tyres on road causing pollution,” Saikia had further said.
“In the name of protest, the leaders of anti-CAA organisations have taken lakhs of rupees from the business community. They are trying to create fear with their activities,” he had added.
Saikia, along with state BJP president Ranjeet Dass and other senior party leaders had visited Chabua MLA Binod Hazarika, whose house was set on fire by miscreants on December 12.
Jyotika Phukan, a resident of Chabua said, “Now everything is peaceful in Chabua. Life has become normal but the people are angry after the provocative speech of Mrinal Saikia.”
“Public properties were damaged during the movement and people are angry with the BJP government and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal,” Phukan added.
“When Sarbananda Sonowal become Assam CM everybody in Chabua felt proud, but it is different now,” Phukan reiterated.
Anti-CAA protesters on Thursday waived black flag to BJP state president Ranjeet Dass at Chabua in Dibrugarh while he was on his way to meet Chabua MLA Binod Hazarika.
“Two persons were arrested in Chabua who are suspected to be involved with the group who set MLA Hazarika’s house on fire,” said another local.
“It’s a conspiracy against them and they have been arrested to douse the anti-CAA movement. If they can be arrested then MLA Mrinal Saikia should also be arrested for his provocative speech,” the local added.
On Friday, police arrested two bothers- Bidyut Baruah and Bikash Baruah- for their allegedly setting ablaze MLA Hazarika’s resident.
Jugal Baruah, a local BJP member resigned from the party in protest following their arrest.
On the other hand, police said that they have enough evidence against the duo and on the basis of CCTV footage and video footages they have arrested the duo.
The situation is under control in Chabua and normalcy has returned in the place.
Chabua- the birthplace of CM Sarbananda Sonowal, has witnessed the highest cases of violence in the recent anti-CAA protests.
Reportedly, many BJP members of Zilla Parishad, panchayats and Gaon panchayats have resigned from the party protesting against CAA.
Reacting to it, Dass said, “I have not got any written resignation from any members. If they have resigned from party posts in Chabua, they should inform me in writing.”
Chabua witnessed spontaneous protest during the anti-CAA movements people from all walks of life joined in the protest to scraped CAA.
Dibrugarh SP Sreejith Tiraviam said,” We have arrested 61 person’s so far involved in vandalism and violence.”
“A total of 79 cases have been registered till date. We have clear video evidence of them indulged in violence and vandalism. More are likely to be arrested,” Sreejith added.
On Monday, all the Satradhikar’s of Chabua, local people and different organisation will stage spiritual protest in Chabua against CAA.