GUWAHATI: Being denied by the Speaker an adjournment motion to discuss the recent Union Government’s notification permitting Assam Rifles personnel to arrest and carry out search operations in bordering districts of five N-E states sans warrant, Opposition Congress and AIUDF walked out of Assam Assembly on Friday.
Three main Opposition parties in the state – Congress, AIUDF and AGP, raised demand for an adjournment motion to hold discussion on the issue. However, when the Speaker, Hitendra Nath Goswami disallowed an adjournment motion, the Congress and the AIUDF MLAs walked out in protest while AGP legislators continued to participate in the proceedings.
Raising the demand for the adjournment motion, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia (Congress) said, “This power given to the Assam Rifles threatens to infringe on the citizens’ freedom of movement. It could lead to an undeclared emergency.”
Pointing out that the new Central government’s notification would be in force only in Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, he said, “There is no such law or provision for mainland India. It has been brought only for these North Eastern states.” He demanded the state government to adopt a resolution in the House against it.
The ministry of Home Affairs, through a notification, has empowered Assam Rifles, including personnel of the lowest ranks, to arrest and search without any warrants in the border districts of Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
AGP legislator, Pabindra Deka while demanding an adjournment motion, said the MHA order empowering all ranks of Assam Rifles to arrest and carry out search operation sans any warrant would violate the fundamental rights of the people.
He said for him the Centre’s move reminded him the dark days of Assam Agitation which witnessed excess by men in uniform that led to killing of 855 persons in the state for participating in the agitation.
He aired apprehension that the Centre’s move might be aimed at gagging the mass movement against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam said, “This Centre’s move is an indicator of the grave times that are coming. It brings horrifying memories of the Emergency.”
It is an attempt to muffle dissent. People who are participating in movements against intolerance, for communal harmony, etc. are likely to be targeted by it,” he added.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, speaking on the permissibility of the adjournment motion, said the government was prepared to give its view, but the discussion cannot be held under an adjournment motion.
“The government is ready to give its views after discussion, there is no doubt about it. But it can be brought under other devices,” he said.
“After the terror attack at Pulwama in Kashmir, when the security forces were given power to act, all parties, including the main Opposition Congress, had supported it. We share 4800 km of international border and obviously, North East is sensitive,” Patowary added.
Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami, in his ruling, disallowed the adjournment motion, asking the Opposition to bring the issue under other devices.
“I am happy that the government is ready to discuss it. The Opposition has raised its concern and wants to know the government’s stand. I can allow discussion as both sides want it, but it can’t be through an adjournment motion,” the Speaker said.
The Congress and the AIUDF MLAs walked out of the House following the Speaker’s ruling disallowing the adjournment motion, but the AGP MLAs remained in the House.