asom sena a very big mistake

Asom Sena a historical mistake : AAMSUBy A Staff Reporter GUWAHATI, Jan 13 – The All Assam Minorities Students’ Union (AAMSU) has lashed out against the recent decision of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) to raise an Asom Sena. It has described the move as a “historic mistake”. Addressing a press conference in the city today, AAMSU president Nozir Uddin Ahmed said that the decision to raise the Asom Sena is an “emotional and self-destructive” one. “The militant action of the AASU is a threat to democracy,” he said. He said that by taking the decision to raise the Sena, the AASU has unwittingly become part of a greater conspiracy to bring about the destruction of the state.The AAMSU’s strong reaction to the AASU move was evolved and given shape during its executive committee meeting held in the city yesterday. Describing the decision as “unfortunate”, the AAMSU wondered why the State Government is remaining silent when the AASU is trying to usurp the authority of the State.Ahmed said that it is the whimsical actions, like this, of the AASU that the greater Assamese society is fractured today. He said that it is because of the failure of the AASU to reflect the interests of all the ethnic groups of the state that several of the groups have created their own parties and organisations. People of all ethnig groups and communities in the state supported the AASU, till recently. Today, it does not enjoy the confidence of any group, he stated.Ahmed said that the fear and doubts raised by the formation of the Asom Sena has already found expression in the decision of the Koch Rajbongshi community to raise a Chilarai Sena. If the trend continues, Assam could turn into a battlefield of Senas, he said. It could all culminate in a virtual civil war. It is very much possible that the minorities raise their own Sena, though such a decision has not been taken so far, he stated.The AAMSU leadership accused the Congress Government in the state of silently watching the developments. Asking the government to come out with its stand over the issue, Ahmed said that government inaction has allowed the AASU to create the Sena. The Asom Sena would further divide the people of the state and prevent the realisation of a greater Assamese community, he said. The AASU should also make clear the motive behind Asom Sena, Ahmed demanded.The AAMSU has also demanded that the imbroglio over the estimated 3.7-lakh “D” (doubtful) category voters in the state be resolved before the next Assembly elections. Describing it as an obstacle to the democratic process, Ahmed said that measures should be taken immediately to go into individual cases. While those that are confirmed foreigners should be deported, the others should be allowed to exercise their franchise. “The issue should not be kept hanging,” he asserted. There are about 1.8 lakh Muslims who are listed in this category. Speaking on the occasion AAMSU working president Abdul Aziz said that people belonging to the minority community are being unnecessarily harassed in the state on suspicion of their being foreigners. He said that the community has no inclination to encourage infiltration since local resources, particularly land, is already short. He pointed out that the AAMSU has long been demanding the updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) keeping 1971 as the cut off year and the issue of identity cards to settle the issue once for all. Indo-Bangladesh border should be sealed properly he said, adding that the border is still easily breached.The AAMSU has demanded that the State Government take immediate steps to rehabilitate the victims of the 1993-94 ethnic riots in the state who are still languishing in refugee camps in Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon districts. It has warned that it would stage demonstrations in New Delhi to draw attention to this issue. Apart from demanding proper representation for minorities in government jobs in the state, the AAMSU has also staked claim on 30 percent reservation for minorities in the “C” and “D” category posts in the railways.Meanwhile, the AAMSU will celebrate its silver jubilee this year with a two-day schedule of programmes in the city on March 30 and 31. The celebrations will culminate with the holding of a mass convention in the city where some of the top political leaders of the country would also be invited, Ahmed said. Among those expected to attend are West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.