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Time of India
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Heat on ‘Miya Muslims' in upper Assam following evictions
1 2 Guwahati: Youth and student organisations in upper Assam's oil, tea, and coal-rich districts have intensified their opposition against 'Miya Muslims,' migrants of Bangladeshi origin settled in the region, following govt-led evictions across the state. On Tuesday, activists of All Tai Ahom Students' Union (Atasu) intercepted 16 'Miya Muslims' near the Tinsukia ASTC bus stand. The group, originally from Barpeta, Dhubri, and South Salmara Mankachar districts, was reportedly en route to Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Tinsukia for working as masons or labourers. However, Atasu president Milan Buragohain alleged that their true intention was to occupy govt and forest lands in upper Assam. The activists forcibly redirected the migrants back to lower Assam districts, underscoring the growing regional tensions. "They could tell the names of their villages but not specific details of their neighbours, panchayats, etc. They could not even give details of their specific destination also. They are suspected illegal migrants. We are sure that their target was to encroach govt and forest lands," Buragohain told TOI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Atasu issued a month's notice to approximately 50 'suspected citizen' families in Molang near coal-rich Margherita in Tinsukia district recently. Buragohain alleged their akas are Bangladesh-origin Muslims plotting to alter upper Assam's demographics. While 'Miya Muslims' continue to work across upper Assam, leading regional youth organisation Bir Lachit Sena's Shringkhal Chaliha has given a clarion call to remove 'Miyas' from upper Assam. However, Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi claimed BJP-led govt patronage is creating communal tension in upper Assam and urged residents to avoid Hindu-Muslim conflicts instigated by some 'misguided youths'. Gogoi criticised certain regional student and youth groups for allegedly disrupting peace for political advantage before the 2026 elections. A couple of days ago, a group of labourers from Hojai received threats from youth groups with a 24-hour ultimatum to leave upper Assam. An unidentified regional group leader warned, "You Miyas, I give you 24 hours to leave Sivasagar. Within that period, you will have to leave Sivasagar and go to Hojai. This is my last warning. Otherwise, I will turn life miserable for you." The outcome regarding 'Miya' labourers remains unclear. But the incident has caused concern in Sivasagar and adjacent districts. Sivasagar SSP Subhrajyoti Borah responded, "No one will be allowed to take law in their hands. We have taken necessary measures and will go ahead as per law." While multiple organisations are issuing warnings to 'Miyas', authorities indicate these warnings come from various groups collectively. Sources said the the Sivasagar district administration is considering official verification of suspected citizens.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Time of India
Protesters block key Sivasagar road over lack of repair work
1 2 3 4 5 6 Dibrugarh: Hundreds of irate locals, backed by the All Tai Ahom Students' Union (Atasu), staged a massive road blockade on the Bhuban Chandra Gogoi Road (BG Road) at Serekapar in Sivasagar district on Wednesday, protesting against the govt's failure to repair the severely dilapidated road. The agitation, which lasted over two hours, brought traffic to a standstill, leaving commuters stranded before police and district officials intervened to pacify the shouted slogans condemning the "apathy" of authorities as the vital Sivasagar-Simaluguri stretch of BG Road turned into a muddy, crater-filled nightmare after the recent rainfall. Large sections of the road are under water, resembling ponds, while deep potholes and uneven surfaces have made commuting has particularly angered locals is that Rs 121 crore was sanctioned three years ago under the Asom Mala Scheme for the construction and widening of BG Road. However, contractors reportedly abandoned the project before completion, leaving the infrastructure in worse condition than before."The road has been in a shambles for months, but after the recent downpour, it has become completely unusable. School children, office-goers, and emergency vehicles are suffering daily. We had no choice but to take this step to make our voices heard," said Partha Pratim Gogoi, general secretary of Atasu's Sivasagar district two days of incessant rain, sections of the road have turned into virtual mud pools, causing vehicles to get stuck and risking accidents. Several motorcyclists reported minor injuries from falls while navigating through the treacherous stretches."This road is a death trap. Two-wheelers skid, trucks get stuck, and ambulances can't pass. The govt sanctioned crores, but where is the result. The contractors vanished after partial work," Arunima Saikia, a local, protesters lifted the blockade after receiving assurance from the district administration that immediate measures would be taken to address their concerns.
