Demanding withdrawal of the legislation and release of jailed KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi, 18 organizations in Assam agitated fresh Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests on Friday.

Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, All Assam Students Union (AASU), Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad, Lachit Sena, besides students, and youth organizations of ethnic communities staged CAA protest across the state.

The campaign started from Sivasagar, where it was launched last year.

The act is demanded to be taken back as CAA was against the identity, language and cultural heritage of the indigenous people of the state.

Release of KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi was also sought.

Addressing the rallies, leaders of the organizations said,

The people will be giving a “fitting reply” to the BJP-led dispensation in Assam in the assembly elections for allegedly “betraying the people by imposing the CAA upon them despite protests, since its introduction in Parliament till its enactment”.

The state assembly polls are due in March-April next year.

A ‘Rono Hungkar’ (clarion call for war against CAA) has been called from Saturday on the first ‘anniversary’ of the anti-CAA agitation by AASU.

Black flags were hoisted at AASU headquarters. Under the support of North East Students Organization, similar black flags were displayed in seven northeastern states demanding roll back of the CAA, AASU chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya told reporters.

Issued jointly by President Dipanka Kumar Nath and General Secretary Shankar Jyoti Baruah, an AASU press release said, “The government has to repeal the anti-Assam law that has claimed the lives of five Assamese citizens, including innocent students. The families of the deceased people and the AASU will continue to seek justice”.