Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma flagged a critical issue, highlighting a ‘demographic invasion’ by illegal infiltrators from Bangladesh affecting various States across Bharat.
In a press conference held in Guwahati, the CM described the situation as alarming and called for the Central Government to enhance border security with Bangladesh, particularly in States like West Bengal, to avert worsening conditions.
He reiterated his earlier statements from July, noting that the Muslim population in Assam has surged from 14 per cent in 1951 to 40 per cent today, attributing this growth to illegal infiltration.
“I believe that the Rohingyas are taking advantage of the porous sections of the Bharat-Bangladesh border. Assam is actively monitoring the border, but it represents only a segment of the entire boundary,” explained CM Himanta.
Apart from this, he addressed the recent increase in arrests of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas in Tripura for illegal entry into Bharat, observing a significant rise in Rohingya infiltration. Last year, the Assam Police dismantled a related network, with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) currently investigating the matter.
Himanta Sarma urged the Indian Government to reinforce border security, especially in West Bengal, and expressed concern over the West Bengal Chief Minister’s comments about providing shelter to Bangladeshi nationals. “Such statements call into question our commitment to tackling infiltration. This is a serious issue, and I have witnessed the demographic shifts in Assam, Jharkhand, and West Bengal,” he said.
The CM proposed comparing voter lists from the 2019 and 2024 elections to analyze shifts in religious demographics. In Assam, the special branch of police will undertake a project to compare voter lists from 2001-2014 and 2014-2024 for similar insights.
He predicted that the upcoming 2021 Census would reveal startling demographic changes in eastern Bharat. “The situation is dire, exacerbated by appeasement policies that hinder our efforts to control it,” the CM cautioned.
CM Himanta stressed that while Assam is acutely aware of the demographic invasion, other States are less informed. Reflecting on the Assam Agitation (1979-1985), Himanta Sarma recalled warnings that Assam’s challenges would eventually affect the entire country if not addressed.
“Back then, Congress disregarded these warnings, but now the entire nation is facing the consequences, as evident in Haryana, Delhi, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand,” he concluded.
