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News18
31-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Dangerous, Divisive Proposition: Assam Govt Vows To Deal Sternly With 'Miya Land' Demand
This demand, reportedly raised by individuals evicted from government and forest lands in Assam's Golaghat district, has triggered a wave of outrage across the state and beyond The fragile socio-political fabric of Assam is once again under strain with a fresh and alarming development—the demand for a so-called 'Miya Land." This provocative call, reportedly raised by individuals evicted from government and forest lands in Assam's Golaghat district, has triggered a wave of outrage across the state and beyond. The demand not only challenges the legal and constitutional framework of the country but also raises serious questions about identity politics, illegal immigration, and the rights of indigenous communities. The Provocation: Comparing Bodoland with 'Miya Land' The immediate controversy erupted following an eviction drive in Uriamghat, a sensitive area along the Assam-Nagaland border. One of the protestors, alleged to be among the illegal encroachers, brazenly declared: 'If big people can demand Bodoland, then we Miya people can also demand Miya Land. If 35 lakh Bodos can have Bodoland, then we 1.4 crore Miya Muslims can demand our own land too." This remark has drawn widespread condemnation, not only for its audacity but for falsely equating a legitimate movement like Bodoland—rooted in indigenous ethnic claims and decades-long peaceful protests—with an illegal occupation of forest land by individuals with dubious citizenship credentials. Assam government and several senior ministers have responded with clarity and firmness. Cabinet Minister Pijush Hazarika termed the speech 'blasphemous," reiterating that 'no power on earth can create Miya Land in Assam." Sarupathar MLA Biswajit Phukan went further: 'This is not the voice of a few individuals. It's a larger design. Miya settlers—originally from Bangladesh—have illegally encroached upon over 11,000 bighas of land here, some of which has become a breeding ground for unlawful activities. We will finish the eviction, and legal action will follow." Understanding the Historical Context: Migration, Identity, and Conflict The term 'Miya" refers to Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam, many of whom are descendants of migrants from what is now Bangladesh. There is no denying the state's historical struggle with unchecked illegal immigration, especially post-1971. This migration has significantly altered the demographic balance in several districts, triggering fears of cultural erosion among Assam's indigenous communities. The Assam Movement (1979–1985), driven by concerns over identity and illegal immigration, eventually led to the Assam Accord, which promised to identify and deport foreigners and protect Assamese identity. But decades later, many feel those promises remain unfulfilled. Uriamghat and the Rengma Reserve Forest: The Flashpoint The Uriamghat eviction is part of a larger state-wide campaign to reclaim encroached government and forest lands. In Golaghat district's Rengma Reserve Forest, an estimated 11,000 bighas of land had been illegally occupied, often for illegal farming of betel nuts, and even allegedly turned into hubs for smuggling and other illicit activities. The government has already cleared 4.2 hectares in a peaceful first phase, demolishing over 120 illegal shops and structures with zero resistance—a stark contrast to the violence seen in Goalpara earlier this month. In the July 12 eviction at Paikan Reserve Forest in Goalpara, a protest turned violent, leading to one fatality and injuries to both civilians and police. This volatility underscores the fragility of law and order when such illegal settlements are allowed to fester. The Dangerous Precedent: From Miya Museum to Miya Land This is not the first time the Miya identity has been pushed in a confrontational manner. In 2020, former Congress MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed proposed a 'Miya Museum" to be set up inside Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, Assam's cultural epicentre. The demand drew severe backlash, with CM Sarma making it clear that 'there is no separate culture of char-chaporis that justifies a new museum." Despite state opposition, a mini Miya museum was later set up in Goalpara, signalling that such demands aren't isolated—they are part of a coordinated ideological movement. Legal and Constitutional Position: Unambiguously Illegal From a constitutional perspective, any demand for a separate homeland based on religious, linguistic, or ethnic grounds—particularly when propagated by illegal settlers—is unlawful. The creation of Bodoland was achieved through decades of political struggle by an indigenous people with a legitimate identity and grievances. In contrast, the demand for Miya Land lacks historical legitimacy, constitutional backing, popular or regional support. Any such attempt to divide Assam along communal lines poses a direct threat to national security and must be dealt with under relevant legal provisions, including charges of sedition, conspiracy, and unlawful assembly. Public Reaction: Assam Rises in Protest People from all communities—Assamese, tribal, and indigenous Muslims—have come out against this demand. Student unions, civil society organizations, and cultural forums have raised slogans such as 'No Miya Land on Assamese Soil" and 'Assam for Assamese." Interestingly, the silence of certain political leaders—notably Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi—has triggered a storm of criticism. Many accuse Gogoi of appeasement politics, with one protestor stating: 'Gaurav Gogoi prefers to echo Pakistan, not Assam." Assam's Identity and Integrity Cannot Be Bargained Assam's history is one of resistance and pride—from the Ahom resistance to the Mughals to the Assam Movement and the struggle to protect its language and land. Today, the state faces a new threat—not just from cross-border infiltration, but from internal political assertions that seek to alter its demographic, cultural, and territorial reality. Chief Minister Sarma's recent post on X (formerly Twitter) resonated with many: 'People of Assam are victims of mass-scale encroachment, demographic alteration, and violence caused by illegal settlers. They stand firmly with the government in this crackdown." The demand for Miya Land is not just an absurd proposition—it is a dangerous political weapon aimed at testing the limits of Indian democracy, Assam's patience, and the state's resolve to defend its identity. The government must continue its firm stand—evict illegal encroachments, enforce the law, and prevent communal polarization. For Assam, the message is loud and clear—there is no place for separatism, no compromise on territorial integrity, and no room for political appeasement at the cost of its people. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. tags : Assam himanta biswa sarma view comments Location : Assam, India, India First Published: July 31, 2025, 12:10 IST News opinion Opinion | Dangerous, Divisive Proposition: Assam Govt Vows To Deal Sternly With 'Miya Land' Demand Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


Time of India
27-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Memorial to honour Assam Movement martyrs nearing completion: Bora
1 2 3 4 Guwahati: The 'Swahid Smarak Kshetra and Udyan', a memorial dedicated to honour the martyrs of the 1979-1985 Assam agitation against Bangladeshi infiltration, is nearing completion in Guwahati, minister Atul Bora said on Sunday. Speaking to reporters about the ambitious Rs 100-crore project, Bora said, "The first phase of the proposed Swahid Smarak Kshetra has been completed at a cost of Rs 95 crore, with construction of the main statue building now finished.". He added the ground floor of the structure will house statues of 860 martyrs of the Assam Movement, which will be known as the "hall of fame." Bora further said the main statue building will be the sixth tallest in the world, a point of great pride for the state. "Over 800 people lost their lives during the movement and this memorial is our way of paying tribute to their sacrifice." The minister further said the second phase of the project will include the construction of an auditorium, with a seating capacity of 500 people, along with a gallery equipped for a light and sound show that can accommodate up to 1,000 people. This light and sound feature will narrate the story of the Assam Movement and its historical significance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain Knee pain | search ads Find Now Undo Taking to his social media, Bora detailed that the memorial will feature a 67.2-meter tower, busts of all martyrs, a light and sound show, a cycle track, a food court and more such features, which will be spread across 116 bighas (over 38 acres). "Today, after inspecting the site, I also participated in a review meeting to evaluate the latest progress and instructed the concerned authorities to complete all remaining construction work swiftly," Bora posted.


NDTV
10-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Explained: The 1950 Act That Lets Assam Expel Foreigners Directly
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said the state was actively considering using a long-forgotten law from 1950 to directly expel illegal migrants without going through the courts. The law in question, the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, empowers even a district commissioner to issue an order for the immediate removal of a person identified as an illegal immigrant. What Is The Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950? The Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, was enacted by the Parliament in the early years of independence to address a pressing crisis in Assam. During the years after the Partition in 1947, Assam witnessed a massive influx of immigrants from East Bengal, which later became East Pakistan and then Bangladesh. The migration was largely driven by communal violence, displacement and the open border. To tackle this issue, the IEAA was passed on 1 March 1950. It gave the Central Government the power to remove any person or group from Assam if their presence harmed public interest or affected the rights of Scheduled Tribes. The law also allowed the government to give these powers to local officers, such as district commissioners, so they could issue expulsion orders directly, without going through the courts. The law was applicable across India but tailored to Assam. Over time, the law was mostly ignored. When the Assam Movement started in 1979, led by the All Assam Students' Union (AASU), people again raised strong concerns about illegal migration. This led to the Assam Accord in 1985, which decided that anyone who came into Assam after March 24, 1971, would be treated as a foreigner. This Act predates several key legislations that are currently used to deal with immigration issues in India, such as the Foreigners Act, 1946; Section 6A of the Citizenship Act; the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964; the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920; and the Passport Act, 1967. In October 2024, the Supreme Court of India upheld Section 6A of the Citizenship Act and clearly said that the 1950 Act was still valid. A Constitution Bench of five judges pointed out that the law allowed even a district commissioner to order the removal of illegal immigrants. The court said this Act can work alongside the Citizenship Act and the Foreigners Act to detect and deport illegal migrants. What Himanta Sarma Said "For whatever reason, our lawyers had not informed us about [the law], and we weren't aware of it either," Mr Sarma said, as reported by The Times Of India. Now that this has come to attention, the government is seriously discussing it, he said. He added that the state had already begun preparations over the last few days to act on this provision. "This time, if someone is identified as a foreigner, we will not send them to a tribunal. We will straightaway push them back." He clarified that those who have already moved court will not be affected by this. Himanta Sarma said that the process of identifying foreigners, which had slowed down due to complications around the National Register of Citizens (NRC), will now be sped up by using the legal powers available under this old but still valid Act.