64 Lakh Infiltrators in 7 Assam Districts: Amit Shah
Lauding their culture of hard work, he said their way of life had acted as a natural barrier and deterrent against infiltration.
Guwahati: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday said that Assam’s demography changed drastically during 20-years of Congress regime and seven districts of the state were dominated by 64 lakh infiltrators.
Asserting that demography of the state changed during the Congress regime and the current BJP-led government at the Centre and state is working to reverse this trend, Mr Shah while addressing the closing ceremony of the 10th Mising Youth Festival at Kareng Chapori in Assam's Dhemaji district said, “Our seven districts – Dhubri, Barpeta, Darrang, Morigaon, Bongaigaon, Nagaon and Goalpara – have become dominated by infiltrators. Within twenty years of Congress rule, these seven districts, which previously had no infiltrator population, now have a population of 64 lakh. If we want to stop the infiltrators, what do we have to do?”
He went on saying that only the BJP can stop infiltration and urged the people to elect the party again in the upcoming Assembly polls.
He said, “I am not saying that the people should take up arms and go to the border to stop the infiltrators. Himanta Biswa Sarma’s government will do this work. Don't worry. But if you want to stop the infiltrators, then in the upcoming elections, once again, give your support to the BJP. Elect a BJP government here.”
Pointing out that the Narendra Modi-led government is using multiple measures to counter the demographic changes in Assam he said that two successive BJP governments in the state have already evicted and freed around 1.26 lakh acres of land from encroachers.
Mr Shah also highlighted the role of the Mising community, one of Assam’s major tribal groups, in preventing illegal settlers from moving into Upper Assam. Lauding their culture of hard work, he said their way of life had acted as a natural barrier and deterrent against infiltration.
“It is the responsibility of the Mising community to stop infiltration. Because of your hard working culture, infiltrators have not been able to come to this side,” said Mr Shah.
He alleged that several tribal communities faced difficulties in preserving their identity during the Congress regime.
Asserting that the BJP-led government is committed to address the concerns and grievances of the Mising community, he said that the Centre has appointed an interlocutor to engage with the community and work on their issues.
