The Assam government has started evicting settlers who have allegedly encroached government land. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that a blueprint was being implemented by people he described as encroachers to alter power equations in Assan by 2050 through demographic means -- statements that the Opposition later described as “communal”. Most of those targeted in the drives held at Sonitpur, Hojai and Darrang were Bengali-speaking Muslims.

Sharing details before media, Sarma said “illegal settlers” claimed to be affected by disasters and moved from one area to another with a specific agenda. “I’m not naming any particular community. We should not say it is being done by followers of Islam as indigenous Assamese Muslims are not part of this. The collective aim of these people (encroachers) is to completely alter the power equation in Assam by 2050,”

The Chief Minster’s comments come a week after two civilians were killed and 20 others, including 11 policemen, were injured during a brutal eviction drive in Darrang district that led to widespread criticism.

The state’s BJP-led government has initiated evicting settlers who have allegedly encroached government land. Most of those targeted in the drives held at Sonitpur, Hojai and Darrang were Bengali-speaking Muslims.

Readmorenews here

Assam: MoU between Patanjali and Tokalai Tea Research Institute for advanced research

Former Assam CM Sonowal elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha

Assam: Public angry over the demolition of Zorai replicas