Bir Lachit Sena president Shrinkhal Chaliha criticised BJP Jorhat president Santanu Pujari over his Blinkit shutdown warning, alleging it threatens indigenous youths' livelihoods and questioning the party's action near Bhogdoi.
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Assam:Bir Lachit Sena president Shrinkhal Chaliha has hit out at BJP Jorhat district president Santanu Puzari over his warning to shut down the online delivery platform Blinkit in Jorhat, saying the move threatens the livelihood of local youth working with the company. Chaliha also asked why the BJP was not taking similar action against Bangladeshi immigrants near Bhogdoi River.
The row follows an ongoing debate over footpaths in the town. Puzari's warning has drawn sharp reactions in Jorhat, since many of the youths employed by Blinkit are from the indigenous community.
Reacting to the warning, Chaliha accused the BJP of ignoring its own poll promises. "The BJP came to power on the promise of protecting Jati, Mati and Bheti and expelling illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. Yet its Jorhat district president has kicked the indigenous youth in the gut, while near Bhogdoi, where illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have entered, does he have the courage to take a JCB and go there? They have occupied the entire area by filling up the river. He should have taken a JCB and gone there," he said.
Chaliha said his organisation would stand with the youths. "We are with every indigenous youth working for Blinkit, and Bir Lachit Sena will stand by them if they face any inconvenience. If Santanu Puzari thinks he can put us in jail, and there is empty space in Jorhat jail, we are ready to go there," he added.
He also questioned Puzari's role in the matter. "Puzari is the president of the Jorhat district unit, not the chairman of the municipality. It is not his duty to evict people from the footpaths. Everyone can boss around when they are in power. What they will do when they are not in power is something to wait and watch," Chaliha added.
Also Read: "If They Attack Our Drivers, We'll Break Their Hands": Shrinkhal Chaliha on Meghalaya Violence
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