STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Against the backdrop of the proposed Prime Ministerial-level Indo-Japan summit in the city on December 15 and 16, the State Home department is concerned over the spontaneous reactions of the masses protesting the contentious CAB (Citizenship Amendment Bill)-2019 during the 11-hour NESO bandh on Tuesday. The State government has received the preliminary nod for hosting the summit. However, the Centre is yet to give its final nod. The summit will be organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) with logistics support from the Assam government.
Meanwhile, the massive city beautification drive that was underway for the last few days here, was also stopped by the different stakeholders on Tuesday owing to the bandh. On the other hand, on Tuesday night, several graffiti against the CAB were written on many of the newly painted walls besides the footpaths across the city.
According to Home department sources, both the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the MEA are closely monitoring the emerging situation on a daily basis. With the emerging situation over the CAB, there is now a 50-50 chance of the city hosting the summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.
However, the Assam government will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the maiden such high-level international summit in the entire north-eastern region is held here. Holding of such a meet will also give a fillip to the status of Guwahati — the Gateway to the Northeast.
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