The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) on Tuesday took up the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The development assumes significance, after the regional party had a direct confrontation with its alliance partner BJP in Assam.
In a nine-point memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Parliament House, AGP leaders including Atul Bora and Keshab Mahanta said that the Bill, if passed, will have great impact affecting the economic, socio-cultural life including the identity of the people of Assam.
“We urge upon you in the greater interest of the people of Assam not to proceed further in the matter,” the duo said.
The AGP leaders said that at the time when the NRC is being prepared under the strict supervision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court taking March 25, 1971 as the cutoff date, the central government is going to introduce a Bill for amendment of the Citizenship Act 1955 in the Parliament with a view to giving citizenship to the Hindu and other religious minorities of neighbouring countries the alleged ground of religious prosecution.
The two AGP leaders also appealed Prime Minister Modi for his urgent attention to declare Assam as a special category state.
They further said that Nagaon and Cachar paper mills need urgent attention of the centre.
“The Ashok Paper mill which was included in the Assam Accord is to be reopened at the earliest,” the AGP duo said.
Both Bora and Mahanat also appealed the Prime Minister to pay attention for granting ST status to the six communities of the state.