Assam’s advocate body on Thursday lodged a formal FIR against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for terming the ongoing process of updating of National Register of Citizens (NRC) as a conspiracy to drive away the Bengalis even as several social organisation and political parties condemned the ‘irresponsible’ statement of the WB Chief Minister.
All Assam lawyers’ Association lodged a FIR against Banerjee at the latasil police station in the city on Thursday under Section 153 (A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and said that the statement of the West Bengal Chief Minister has communal overtones to destabilise the peace and communal harmony in the State.
Based on the FIR, the latasil police has registered a case against the West Bengal Chief Minister under Section 153 (A) of the IPC for allegedly trying to promote disharmony among communities.
It may be mentioned here that Banerjee while speaking at a public meeting at Birbhum district stated that the BJP Government in Assam has hatched conspiracy to drive away the Bengalis and termed the process to update the NRC as ‘Bengali Hatao’ movement.
Several social organisation as well as the political parties condemned the statement of Banerjee and took to the streets to protest against the West Bengal Chief Minister. Several organisations also demanded the Government to arrest the leader under National Security Act (NSA).
“The statement shows her lack of knowledge. The updation of NRC is being done at the instruction and guidance of the Supreme Court. So the statement by the WB Chief Minister is a contempt of court. I think the Supreme Court will take a suo moto cognisance against her soon,” said Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma while reacting to the statement of Banerjee.
Adviser of All Assam Students’ Union (Aasu) Samujjal Bhattacharyya also condemned the statements of Banerjee and said that it is ‘instigative’ in nature.
“The West Bengal Chief Minister is not aware about the history of Assam. NRC has been updated according to the Assam Accord and under consistent monitoring of the Supreme Court. According to the Assam Accord those who have entered Assam after midnight of March 24, 1971 has to go. There is the question of Bengalis or Muslims. Those who have entered Assam after the midnight of March 24, 1971, they have to leave the State,” he said urging the West Bengal Chief Minister to approach the apex court if she has any grievances.
Former Chief Minister and senior Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta termed it as a political move to destabilise the peace in Assam. “I could see a scheme to flare up communal tension and destabilise the peace in Assam,” Mahanta said.