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‘Encroachers’ aim to alter power equation in Assam by 2050: Himanta Biswa Sarma
The state’s BJP-led government has started evicting settlers who have allegedly encroached government land. Most of those targeted in the drives held at Sonitpur, Hojai and Darrang were Bengali-speaking Muslims.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday claimed that a blueprint was being implemented by people he described as “encroachers” to alter power equations in the state by 2050 through demographic means -- statements that the Opposition later described as “communal”.
Talking to reporters in Dhemaji, Sarma said “illegal settlers” claimed to be affected by disasters and moved from one area to another with a specific agenda. “I’m not naming any particular community. We shouldn’t say it’s being done by followers of Islam as indigenous Assamese Muslims are not part of this. The collective aim of these people (encroachers) is to completely alter the power equation in Assam by 2050,” Sarma said.
The CM’s comments come a week after two civilians were killed and 20 others, including 11 policemen, were injured during a brutal eviction drive in Darrang district that led to widespread criticism.
The state’s BJP-led government has started evicting settlers who have allegedly encroached government land. Most of those targeted in the drives held at Sonitpur, Hojai and Darrang were Bengali-speaking Muslims.
Sarma said that the “encroachers” claim to be displaced from their place of origin citing some disaster, and move to another place, and settle illegally there as part of a plan. “If you inquire, you will find that several of these so-called displaced people own hundreds of ‘bighas’ of land. But if you ask... they will remain silent.”
He said that these encroachers were able to achieve their goal in Batadroba assembly seat in this election, and have set their sights on other seats. Batadroba was won by Congress’s Sibamoni Bora in 2021 with support from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and other parties in the Opposition grand alliance.
Slamming the CM for “spreading hatred”, AIUDF organising secretary Mohd Aminul Islam said: “These are very communal and sensitive comments... It is unfortunate that the CM himself is spreading such conspiracy theories and hatred for Muslims,” said.
