Assam CM expounds views on cut-off year for illegal migrants

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday that the views of the state government and the BJP as a party differ in so far as the cut-off year for detection and deportation of illegal migrants is concerned.

Talking to the media, Sarma said that the Centre, state government and All Assam Students' Union (AASU) had earlier signed the Assam Accord and accepted 1971 as the cut-off year for detection and deportation of illegal migrants. This is the official deadline and even the incumbent government is bound to accept it. However, he said, in the greater interest of Assam the BJP as a political party wants as a whole that the cut-off year should be 1951, that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) should be implemented in Assam, and that the exercise for delimitation of constituencies should be completed expeditiously in the state.

Regarding creation of a separate 'Kamatapur' state, the Chief Minister said that no discussion has been initiated with the state government by the Centre in this regard, nor has any communication been received so far. He further observed that a particular section is trying to create unrest over the Kamatapur state issue, which has resulted in voicing positive and negative reactions from various organizations and parties.

He said in this regard, "Peace should get a chance. There is a positive atmosphere in Assam now and we should not unnecessarily highlight any negative news".

Sarma accepted that Kamatapur Liberation Organization (KLO) chief Jibon Singh is currently staying in Assam as a guest of the state government, adding that the KLO leadership will talk with the Centre regarding their agenda at the proper time.

Regarding the issue of madrassa education in the state, the Chief Minister said that the state government is adopting a three-pronged strategy: first, reducing the number of madrassas; second, registration of private madrassas, and third, introduction of general education in madrassas. He said that discussions are underway with the Muslim community regarding this strategy and the response has been "good" so far.

Referring to the demand by various organizations, including AASU, that the Centre should declare Assam's flood problem as a 'National Problem', the Chief Minister said that national status is given to assets, not problems. Even though flood has not been declared as a 'National Problem', the state government has been receiving adequate funds for flood management and flood relief works from the Centre.

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