GUWAHATI: The police issued a legal notice to the leaders of the Congress-led 16-party United Opposition Forum of Assam for calling a ‘Sarbatmak Hartal’ (total strike) against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) notification.
The notice was issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Guwahati under Section 152 of the CrPC, 1973.
“It has come to the notice of the undersigned from the press note dated 11th March, 2024 released by ‘United Opposition Forum’ that you and your organization have called for ‘Sarbatmak Hartal’ in Assam on 12th March, 2024 from 6 AM to 6 PM…"
“Whereas, as a result of the ‘Sarbatmak Hartal’, there is every likelihood of breach of peace and security leading to disruption of normal life of peace-loving citizens in the state. The ‘Sarbatmak Hartal’ is likely to lead to road blockade, forceful closure of shops and other business establishment, damage to public and private property including Railway/NHAI thereby disrupting the delivery of essential services,” the notice read.
Further, the notice said calling of such ‘Sarbatmak Hartal’ would lead to highway and railway track blockade, which had been declared illegal and unconstitutional by various judgements of the Supreme Court, the Kerala High Court as well as the Gauhati High Court.
“Therefore, considering the above, the undersigned hereby orders you and your organization to withdraw the said ‘Sarbatmak Hartal’ and cooperate in maintaining peace in the state, failing which legal action will be taken against you in your personal capacity,” the notice warned.
“…in case there is any damage to public/private property including Railway and National Highway properties or injury to any citizen caused due to ‘Sarbatmak Hartal’, legal action under appropriate provisions of law including Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 will be initiated against you and the total cost of damage to public and private properties will be recovered from you and your organization,” the notice further warned.
Meanwhile, protests broke out in parts of the state against CAA. The police detained dozens of workers of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samitee, Chhatra Mukti Sangram Samitee and Raijor Dal in Sivasagar.
In the wake of fresh protests, the police beefed up security across the state. All police stations, including those in Guwahati, have been put on a high alert. So far, there was no report of any untoward incidents.