KMSS Leader Dhaijya Konwar Laments Formation of Political Party in Name of Anti-CAA Protests

Guwahati, January 7, 2019:

Amid nationwide protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leaders Dhairjya Konwar and President Bitu Sonowal have been presented at the NIA Court in Assam's Guwahati city today.

Talking to the media outside the NIA Court here today, Konwar stated, "I feel that the movement is going in another direction." Speaking on the lines of the AASU's announcement of plans to float a new political party ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections in Assam, Konwar stated, "Our main motive should be the scrapping of the CAA, and not the formation of a political party."

Expressing disappointment at the current state of the anti-CAA agitation, Konwar said: "we are concerned that the protests have simmered down somewhat...It is not the kind of movement that could force the Government's hand."

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Konwar also opined that the attempts to link the KMSS with maoists is a major conspiracy against the people of Assam, and all organizations and communities must come together in order to avert this impending threat.

It may be mentioned here that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a case against KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi under the newly amended Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 2019, for his alleged links with Maoists and on charges of fomenting trouble in the state after the passage of the amended citizenship act.

The FIR says, “Akhil Gogoi, Dhaijya Konwar [KMSS joint general secretary], Manas Konwar, Bittu Sonowal and others have used the passage of CAB in Parliament as an opportunity to promote enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, and done acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony, using visible representations and spoken words, thus endangering the security and sovereignty of the state and which is prejudicial to national integration.”

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