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NDTV
6 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
'Assam's Muslim Population Will Reach 50% In Coming Years': Chief Minister
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta today said indigenous Assamese people face the threat of becoming minority in their own state due to what the BJP has been claiming "population explosion" of illegal immigrants of Bengali Muslim-origin from Bangladesh. Mr Sarma said that based on empirical data and past census records, the minority population in the state is projected to reach nearly 50 per cent in the coming years. Citing the 2011 census, Mr Sarma said minorities currently constitute 34 per cent of Assam's population. Excluding the 3 per cent indigenous Assamese Muslims, he said the figure of Muslims who migrated to the state stands at 31 per cent. "If you project that on the basis of 2021 and trends seen in 2031, you arrive at an almost 50-50 population position. This is not my take. I am just stating what is in the statistical census report," the chief minister said. To a question by the media on Wednesday, Mr Sarma said that despite his best efforts, to the point where his "life will end", it would not be easy to clear large hectares of encroached land in Assam. He referred to the state government's drive against encroachment of government, forest and satra lands in the state. "29 lakhs bighas (9 lakh acres) of land were encroached upon in Assam till today. My life will finish, but it will not get vacated. An eviction drive will soon begin at Uriamghat in Golaghat. Encroached land will be clear in eastern Assam," He said.
India Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Arms licence portal for indigenous people as Assam evicts illegal immigrants
Assam plans to start a portal to streamline the process of granting arms licences to eligible people from indigenous communities living in areas where they are vulnerable. The portal will be inaugurated in the first week of August, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday. This comes even as the state moves to evict illegal settlers and encroachers, mostly Bengali-speaking Muslims, from occupied forest and will be a portal for people to apply for an arms licence, and it will be inaugurated between August 1 and 7. The Deputy Commissioner (DC) will conduct an enquiry, and those who meet the criteria will be granted an arms licence," Himanta said in a video. He shared the clip on on the encroachment by illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, Himanta on July 21 said that native Assamese and Hindus would become a minority in the state in 10 years if demographic changes were not checked. "Compared to 1951, the demography of Assam has reached such a stage that the Assamese and the Hindus will become a minority in 10 years. We have to revive a community facing extinction," Himanta said, adding "We have to rescue a community which otherwise will go missing." Himanta's remarks came during his visit to Gorukhuti in Assam's Darrang district, from where the government had started a massive eviction drive 4 years freeing up of encroached land by illegal immigrants, Himanta said that 29 lakh bighas still remain occupied."We've reclaimed Abighas and are working to recover more. Twenty-nine lakh bighas are still under encroachment. It's not possible for one Himanta Biswa Sarma to free all these lands in four years," the Assam chief minister was quoted as saying by The Times of has regularly highlighted the issue of illegal immigrants grabbing land and demographic change changing the character of entire portal to be inaugurated in August might be aimed at the indigenous people in districts where they are in a minority decision to issue arms licences to indigenous residents was first announced in May after a Cabinet Congress President and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi in May came down heavily on the Assam government's decision to grant arms licences to civilians residing in border and remote termed the policy "highly condemnable" and accused the ruling BJP government of promoting a strategy that prioritises weapons over the essential needs of the of Assam want water, employment, education, and medical facilities, not guns," Gogoi said in move, Sarma had stated then, was aimed at empowering indigenous communities in districts facing security challenges due to cross-border infiltration, according to a report in The Assam the districts identified for the rollout of the arms licence scheme are Dhubri, Nagaon, Morigaon, Barpeta, South Salmara and Goalpara, according to the report. All the districts have a high concentration of Muslim population.- EndsMust Watch
News18
18-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
News18 Daily Digest, July 18: AI Crash Probe Warning Maha Honeytrap Row
In today's News18 Daily Digest: AI 171 probe team urges media restraint; Maharashtra rocked by honeytrap scandal and assembly chaos; RCB faces legal action over Bengaluru stampede; Rahul vs Himanta turns explosive; Bihar crime in spotlight before PM visit; chilling CCTV from Balasore tragedy, and more. Tune in for top news from India and around the world...
India.com
12-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Himanta Biswa Sarma: বাংলা ও বাঙালি নিয়ে হিমন্ত-মন্তব্যে তুঙ্গে বিতর্ক, ফুঁসছে TMC
Videos Himanta Biswa Sarma: বাংলা ও বাঙালি নিয়ে হিমন্ত-মন্তব্যে তুঙ্গে বিতর্ক, ফুঁসছে TMC | Zee 24 Ghanta Controversy Erupts Over Himanta's Remark on Bengal and Bengalis — TMC Reacts Strongly Controversy Erupts Over Himanta's Remark on Bengal and Bengalis — TMC Reacts Strongly | Updated: Jul 13, 2025, 12:00 AM IST Advertisement Controversy Erupts Over Himanta's Remark on Bengal and Bengalis — TMC Reacts Strongly
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Time of India
Shoot-at-sight order at Assam border amid communal unrest
Himanta said police found at least three provocative posters put up by a group identified as Nabin Bangla at different locations there GUWAHATI: The Assam government on Friday issued a shoot-at-sight order in the India-Bangladesh border town of Dhubri after dusk to rein in what CM Himanta Biswa Sarma described as "a communal group" fomenting trouble over the past week. The immediate trigger for the directive to enforcement agencies, including Rapid Action Force and CRPF reinforcements, was a purported poster campaign by the group for "Dhubri's integration with Bangladesh". The town has been on the edge for several days following mob violence over offal being found near a place of worship. CM, who was in Dhubri district to take stock, said police found at least three provocative posters put up by a group identified as Nabin Bangla at different locations there. "Since the last one week, maintaining law and order in Dhubri has been challenging. A communal group is trying to create disturbances, which the government won't tolerate," Sarma said. He later wrote on X, "I directed law enforcement officers to follow (a policy of) zero tolerance against elements who desecrate places of Dhubri, a particular group has become active with the intent to damage our temples. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Undo We have issued SHOOT AT SIGHT orders." Communal tension gripped Dhubri on June 7, a day after Eid, prompting community leaders on either side to appeal for peace. The next day, offal was allegedly dumped at another location, leading to stone-pelting at night, Sarma said. CM said a large herd of cattle illegally brought to Dhubri from Bengal by a "new beef mafia" was another reason for the disturbances. "I have ordered an inquiry into this. I have directed the authorities to arrest whoever has started this cattle trade." Sarma declared that he would camp in Dhubri for two days on Eid next year to ensure something like this didn't recur. "We are fully committed to ensure enforcement of law and order in the district and defeat all communal forces," he said. CM alleged last week that beef had been "weaponised" in the state. Dhubri has the highest Muslim population among all districts of Assam, constituting 90% of the demography. Suspicions about a large section of them being of Bangladeshi origin make the issue a socio-political hot potato.
