Anti-CAA movement to be revived: Akhil Gogoi
Guwahati: The movement against the Citizenship Amendment Act that rocked Assam will be revived, MLA Akhil Gogoi said on Friday.
Speaking to reporters at Nagaon, Gogoi said the leaders of the movement betrayed the people of the state while he was kept in jail.
"Now that I am out, I want to assure the people that the anti-CAA movement will resume. No (illegal) foreigner will be allowed to stay in the state," he said on the way to his constituency Sivasagar, a day after he was released from jail.
Gogoi spent nearly 19 months behind bars for his alleged role in the violent protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in December 2019. He fought and won the recently-concluded assembly elections from the jail.
Gogoi alleged that the BJP-led state government was not sympathetic towards the problems of the people.
"I will raise the issues of big dams and toll gates in the state Assembly. If the government fails to give a proper response, we will have to take the path of agitation," he said.
On the way to Sivasagar, around 400 km from Guwahati, Gogoi had to stop multiple times as his supporters and locals lined the roads cheering for him.
"This outpour of people's love for a jailed person like me proves that I was wrongly confined. The BJP kept me behind bars and won a second term but this won't happen again.
In 2026, a new government will be formed. The BJP 'hatao' (remove BJP) movement starts from today," the Raijor Dal president asserted.
This was the first time that Gogoi shall be visiting Sivasagar after being elected.
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Indian Ports Bill introduced in Lok Sabha
New Delhi (PTI): A bill providing for adjudicatory mechanisms for the redressal of port-related disputes, and for effective management of pollution, disaster and emergencies, was introduced in Lok Sabha on Friday.
Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal introduced 'The Indian Ports Bill, 2025' in the Lok Sabha.
The Bill seeks to consolidate the law relating to ports, promote integrated port development, facilitate ease of doing business and ensure the optimum utilization of India's coastline, establish and empower State Maritime Boards for effective management of ports other than major ports.
It proposes to establish Maritime State Development Council for structured growth and development of the port sector; and provide for the management of pollution, disaster, emergencies, security, safety, navigation, and data at ports; ensure compliance with India's obligations under international instruments.
The Bill seeks to take measures for the conservation of ports; provide for adjudicatory mechanisms for the redressal of port-related disputes.
Opposing the introduction of the Bill, K Radhakrishnan (CPIM) said it encroaches upon the power of state governments as it seeks to centralise control over ports.
Sougata Ray (TMC) said the Indian Ports Act was enacted in 1908 and at that time all the ports were under the Centre. In recent times, many private ports have come up and parts of government ports have been leased to private companies.
"The present legislation does not appear to be adequate to control the private ports," he said.
Ray said the new adjudicating authority as proposed in the Bill may take away the rights of the workers.
