Guwahati : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday alleged that Assam’s demography underwent a drastic change during the Congress regime, claiming that as many as 64 lakh infiltrators entered the State and became a majority in seven districts. He asserted that the BJP-led government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now working to reverse the trend.

Speaking as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the 10th Mising Youth Festival organised by the Takam Mising Porin Kebang (All Mising Students’ Union) at Kareng Chapori, Shah appealed to voters to back the BJP in the upcoming Assembly elections to ensure what he described as full protection of the State from infiltration.

“Assam’s demography totally changed during the Congress rule. The population of infiltrators rose to 64 lakh from nil, and infiltrators became a majority in seven districts,” Shah alleged.

The Home Minister said the Modi government had initiated multiple measures to address the issue. “If you want to stop infiltration in Assam, elect the BJP for a third term and strengthen Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s hands in the fight against illegal immigrants. Two BJP governments in Assam have freed 1.26 lakh acres of land from encroachment by infiltrators,” he said.

Shah also lauded the Mising community for preventing infiltrators from settling in Upper Assam, attributing it to their culture of hard work and self-reliance.

“It is the responsibility of the Mising community to stop infiltration. You do not need to take up guns. Through your culture of hard work, infiltrators have not been able to come to this side,” he said.

He further alleged that several tribal communities struggled to protect their identity during the Congress regime and emphasised that the BJP was committed to addressing issues faced by the Mising society through a Centre-appointed interlocutor.

Assembly elections in Assam are due later this year.

Promotional | North East Integration Rally