Assam Governor’s Address Flags UCC, Anti-radicalisation Measures As Govt Priorities
Appealing to people to avoid unnecessary expenditure in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for austerity, Mr Acharya welcomed the government’s decision to introduce the proposed law on the UCC during the current session, saying it would strengthen social harmony, justice, gender equality, and a modern and progressive society
Guwahati: Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Friday presented the new government’s vision for the next five years in his inaugural address to the 16th state Assembly, even as opposition legislators staged a walkout.
Flagging the need of close coordination between Assam and West Bengal to fence the India-Bangladesh border and secure the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the Chicken’s Neck, the narrow strip of land connecting the northeastern region with mainland India, the Governor said, “This mandate reflects the people’s endorsement of peace, economic stability, and inclusive development pursued over the past ten years. The achievements in restoring peace have been substantial and historic.”
Appealing to people to avoid unnecessary expenditure in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for austerity, Mr Acharya welcomed the government’s decision to introduce the proposed law on the UCC during the current session, saying it would strengthen social harmony, justice, gender equality, and a modern and progressive society.
The Governor said that the government would build on the measures undertaken in recent years to place greater emphasis on strengthening the legal and administrative framework to safeguard indigenous rights and demographic security.
He said effective measures would be undertaken to enforce the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, to accelerate the identification and deportation of illegal infiltrators.
“The government shall continue to adopt lawful and sustained measures to preserve the demographic balance and the socio-cultural environment of the State,” he said.
The Governor said that strict action would be taken against encroachment on indigenous land, organised demographic aggression, and activities threatening social harmony, public order, and lawful governance.
He said legislative and administrative mechanisms would be further strengthened to prevent radicalisation and other harmful activities.
“A dedicated Counter-Radicalisation Cell shall be established to prevent vulnerable youth from extremist influence and to promote constitutional values, social harmony, and national unity,” he said.
The Governor stressed the government’s focus on developing border villages, expanding an ongoing mission to grant land rights to the landless, and strengthening citizen security and women’s safety through technology-driven, women-centric policing.
The Governor’s first address in the 16th Assembly was marked by a walkout by the Opposition, comprising MLAs of the Congress and Raijor Dal. About five minutes into his speech, the MLAs trooped into the well of the House, demanding that the government address inflation and other core issues rather than focus on achievements.
The 19 Congress MLAs also displayed placards and raised slogans before walking out. Their Raijor Dal counterparts left after about 30 minutes after submitting a paper listing a few points.
