Assam Government Initiates Socio-Economic Survey of Indigenous Muslim Communities

GUWAHATI: The Assam government announced on Tuesday its decision to conduct a comprehensive socio-economic survey of the state's five indigenous Muslim communities. This move aims to gather data that will inform targeted measures for their socio-political and educational upliftment.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma presided over a meeting with senior officials at the state secretariat to discuss the initiative.

The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) shared details of the meeting, stating, "In a meeting held at Janata Bhawan, HCM Dr. @himantabiswa directed the officials concerned to carry out a socio-economic assessment of Assam's Indigenous Muslim communities, including Goria, Moria, Deshi, Syed, and Jolha." 

The socio-economic assessment will provide valuable insights that can guide the state government in implementing appropriate measures to address the specific needs and challenges faced by these indigenous minority communities.

This development follows closely after the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar recently released the findings of its much-anticipated caste survey. The Bihar survey, released ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, revealed that Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs) constitute 63 percent of the state's total population.

In a significant development, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed that more than 800 individuals have been apprehended in a recent crackdown on child marriage in the state. This operation, the second of its kind this year, commenced in the early hours of Tuesday morning, resulting in the arrest of hundreds of suspects. Chief Minister Sarma indicated that this number could potentially rise as the operation continues.

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