Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday warned that Assam’s demography underwent significant change during Congress’s 20-year rule, claiming that seven districts of the state are now “dominated by 64 lakh infiltrators.” Speaking at rallies in Dhemaji and Dibrugarh, he said only the BJP could halt infiltration and urged voters to re-elect the party in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Addressing citizens in Dhemaji, near the Arunachal Pradesh border, Shah said, “Our seven districts – Dhubri, Barpeta, Darrang, Morigaon, Bongaigaon, Nagaon and Goalpara – have become dominated by infiltrators. Within twenty years of Congress rule, these districts, which previously had no infiltrator population, now have a population of 64 lakh. If we want to stop the infiltrators, what do we have to do?”
He added that citizens need not take up arms, as the state government under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was managing the situation. “But if you want to stop the infiltrators, then in the upcoming elections, give your support to the BJP. Elect a BJP government here,” Shah said.
The Home Minister noted that the Narendra Modi-led government had deployed multiple measures to counter the demographic shift. Two successive BJP state governments had reclaimed around 1.26 lakh acres of land from alleged encroachment.
Also read: Amit Shah in Assam; unveils projects worth ₹1,715 crore
He also praised the Mising community, one of Assam’s major tribal groups, for preventing illegal settlers from moving into Upper Assam. “It is the responsibility of the Mising community to stop infiltration. You don’t need to pick up guns. Because of your hardworking culture, infiltrators have not been able to come to this side,” he said.
In Dibrugarh, Shah launched development projects worth ₹1,715 crore, including a second legislative assembly complex and MLA hostel costing ₹284 crore, aimed at establishing the city as Assam’s second administrative hub. He also laid the foundation for a ₹238-crore modern sports complex, a ₹292-crore Wildlife Health and Research Centre, and a ₹692-crore wetland restoration project under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund.
The legislative assembly project will include a three-storey assembly building, a nine-storey MLA hostel, an 800-seat auditorium and barracks for security personnel. The sports facility’s second phase will add seating for 30,000 spectators, a central playground and an athletic track.
Assam, with 126 Assembly seats, is scheduled to hold elections in March-April. The BJP, in power since 2016, is seeking a third consecutive term, while the Congress aims to regain control.
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