Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has given a serious warning that the Hindu community will become a minority in Assam in the coming 10 years. He said that the direction in which the population figures have increased since 1951 can completely change the social structure of the state. He said that the Assamese and Hindu communities are on the verge of extinction and we should take this threat seriously.
Effects and causes of demographic change
The Chief Minister cited decades of policy negligence and Bangladeshi infiltration in border areas as the main reason behind this change. He said that the way land encroachment took place in the last 60 years and Assam’s culture has been sidelined is a sign of danger to the soul of Assam. The government was prevented from taking decisive steps many times during this period, but now it has become necessary to handle the situation.
Action on encroachment and return of wildlife
The Chief Minister informed that the state government has so far freed 1.29 lakh bighas of land from encroachment. The natural use of these lands has started again. One-horned rhinoceros and tigers have returned to the land of Orang National Park. A solar project has been started in Borsola in Sonitpur district and elephants are returning to the Lumding Reserve Forest in Hojai district.
Eviction will also be prepared in new areas
The government is now working on a new plan to remove encroachment in Uriyamghat in Golaghat district of eastern Assam. This area is adjacent to the border of Nagaland and here too the number of illegal encroachments is increasing continuously. The Chief Minister says that this process of eviction is an attempt to save the cultural and geographical identity of the state.
We may lose the battle, but will fight with self-respect
Chief Minister Sarma said in clear words that this fight is not for revenge but for existence. He said that the law gives us very limited remedies but still we will protect our land and culture by staying within the ambit of justice. This is a tough fight but it is necessary to save the soul and identity of Assam.
