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CPI Strongly Opposes Assam Government's Move to Allow Use of Lethal Arms for Self-Defense by Indigenous People

By SK Hasan |

Nazira:: The Communist Party of India (CPI) has strongly opposed the Assam Cabinet’s recent decision to permit indigenous people in several districts — including Barpeta, Dhubri, Goalpara, South Salmara, Morigaon, and Nagaon — to keep lethal arms for self-defense. The party has urged the state government to reconsider this move.

Addressing a press conference in Nazira today, CPI Assam State Secretary Kanak Gogoi said the decision could prove counterproductive and potentially dangerous. "There is a high possibility of misuse of these weapons, which could escalate tensions in society and lead to law violations by those with malicious intent," Gogoi stated.

He questioned Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's rationale behind the decision, calling it an admission of the government's failure to ensure the safety of its citizens. "If the government itself fears it cannot protect the people, then why do we even have a Home Department and a police force?" Gogoi asked.

He further demanded that the government take legal and policy-based steps to guarantee the safety of indigenous communities. Additionally, he reiterated CPI's long-standing demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the six indigenous communities and called for special state status for Assam through Articles 370 and 371(A) of the Constitution.

The CPI also condemned recent incidents where people were allegedly harassed and detained at night under suspicion of being foreigners. Gogoi demanded that the government act legally and humanely, deporting illegal immigrants who arrived after March 1971 through a repatriation agreement with Bangladesh, irrespective of their religion.

Furthermore, Gogoi criticized the Chief Minister for misleading the unemployed youth by claiming that their issues would be resolved only after establishing Sanatan Dharma in the country and turning India into a Hindu nation. Referring to the 36.4 lakh registered unemployed youth in the state, he highlighted the gap between the government's promise of providing one lakh jobs annually and the reality of only 1.2 lakh jobs being provided so far. He urged the government to harness this vast human resource to transform Assam into a developed state through meaningful action.

Gogoi also announced that the CPI’s triennial Sivasagar District Conference will be held in Nazira on May 31 and June 1. A public meeting will take place on May 31 at 12 noon, featuring noted legal expert Shantanu Barthakur and other prominent personalities. Gogoi invited all progressive, secular, democratic, and concerned citizens to attend the open meeting.

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Freelance journalist, Nazira, Sibasagar district.
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