Squatters from mainland India caught, pushed back from Tura

Date:

spot_imgspot_img

TURA: Close to four dozen people from the northern part of the country who tried to enter Tura to undertake petty trade have been pushed back by district authorities after members of NGOs spotted them outside the sumo taxi stand in Chandmari on Friday evening.
The incident comes at a time when states across the north eastern region are opposing the central government’s attempts at pushing through the Citizenship Amendment Bill granting citizenship to minority groups who are persecuted in the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh, Pakisthan and Afghanistan.
The large group of men, women and children, including aged persons, had reportedly planned to do brisk business by setting up small stalls to sell balloons and other products by squatting on sidewalks around the town.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh said that magistrates and police rounded up all those who arrived in the two vehicles and pushed them back.
“They hired two vehicles from Paikan in Assam to come to Tura. Since they did not have any proper documents our magistrates and police sent them back to Paikan the same evening,” the DC said.
Surprised and worried by the sudden arrival of such a large group of unidentified people, some locals alerted the chairman of the Garoland state Movement Committee, Nikman Ch Marak, whose group is spearheading the protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill.
“When we arrived we found a large group of men and women, children and even very old people. On inquiry about their residency they said that they belonged to the state of Rajasthan and had come to Tura to sell balloons and other products after hearing of the upcoming Sobha. They said they planned to sell their wares on the footpaths where they intended to also reside. So we alerted the magistrates and police,” said Marak.
He also said that some of them displayed their Aadhaar cards to give proof of their identity but it was not accepted.
In the face of widespread protests against the bill across the region, outsiders are often looked upon with suspect, particularly when one is without proper documents.

spot_imgspot_img

Related articles

Changing weather conditions driving H3N2 cases in Delhi-NCR: Experts

New Delhi, Sep 17: Changing weather conditions are driving influenza A strain H3N2 cases in Delhi-NCR, said health...

Indian Army restores vital road connectivity in J&K’s Ramban with 150-foot reinforced Maitra Bridge

Jammu, Sep 17: Days after heavy rainfall created havoc in several districts of J&K's Jammu region, including Ramban,...

Ahead of Bihar polls, ECI introduces colour photos, larger serial numbers on EVM ballot papers to boost clarity

New Delhi, Sep 17: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday announced a major revamp of Electronic...

Smriti Mandhana slams second fastest women’s ODI ton by Indian batter

New Chandigarh, Sep 17: Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana registered the second-fastest century by an Indian batter in women’s ODIs...