Following the horrific rape of a minor girl in Dhing in Assam by three youths from the Muslim community, sentiments against Miya Muslims have risen in Assam. Amid the protests against the rape case, several organisations have now issued an ultimatum to Miya Muslims to leave upper Assam within 7 days. Notably, Miya Muslims refer to Muslims of Bangladeshi origin, as against indigenous Muslims in Assam.
As many as 30 organisations in Upper Assam, the districts in eastern Assam, have come together to issue the deadline to the Miya Muslims to leave the region within 7 days. Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad said, “The whole incident has been committed by Miya Muslims. Miya Muslims have now become a cancerous disease in Assam. There are many Mia Muslims in Lower Assam. They are involved in crimes like rape, robbery, drug trafficking. People are upset.”
The organisation added that they are concerned that incidents like lower Assam will take place in upper Assam also. They asked the govt to expel Miya Muslims from upper Assam as soon as possible. “We have set a deadline of 7 days. After 7 days, the Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad will take measures to evict them even by using force. We have made it clear that they must leave within seven days. This is our last word.”
30 nationalist organisations have come together to issue the deadline, which includes All Tai Ahom Students Union (ATASU), Asomiya Yuva Manch, Asomiya Mahila Manch, Bir Lachit Sena, All Assam Adivasi Students’ Union, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, Chhatra Mukti Sangram Samiti, Assam Sabbas Tribal Students’ Union, Garia Maria Desi Jatiya Parishad, Chutia Jati Yuva Sammelan, All Assam Chutia Students’ Union, All Assam Sonowal Kachari Students’ Union, Tai Ahom Youth Council, All Assam Sonowal Kachari Students’ Union, Tai Ahom Youth Council All Moran Students Union, Ahom Sena and others.
They also asked the businesses to terminate Miya Muslim workers.
Amid the demands, Congress MLA Abdur Rashid Mandal triggered a controversy by challenging the organisations saying that they can’t evict Miya Muslims from upper Assam. He said that while he condemns the Dhing rape incident, the entire community can’t be held guilty for the same.
Mandal also claimed that Miya Muslims are contributing to the community by doing labour works in various sectors. He claimed that alleged hateful comments by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and others have encouraged such demands.
