Guwahati (Assam) [India], July 15 (HBTV): Amid growing concerns over demographic changes in Hindu-populated constituencies, Assam Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Numal Momin claimed that 15 districts in the state have now become Muslim-majority. He alleged that the Congress party’s motive was to turn Assam into an Islamic state.

‘As of now, 15 districts have become Muslim majority. At the time of independence, there was not a single district with a Muslim majority. It is a very alarming situation in Assam,’ Momin said in an interview.

He further alleged that infiltration is continuing systematically from Lower Assam to Middle and Upper Assam. Recalling his childhood, Momin cited the example of Sarupathar in Golaghat district, where the number of Muslim households, he claimed, increased from around 60–70 to 6,000–7,000 over the years.

‘This simple example is very much evidence that Muslims are migrating slowly from Lower Assam to Middle Assam and Upper Assam. It is not only demographic changes, but also a serious threat to the Indigenous Assamese people in Assam,’ he added.

Momin said that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has already expressed concern over the issue and called it a matter of deep concern for all Indigenous people. He alleged that there is a conspiracy to tactically and systematically destroy Assamese people, their culture, and their heritage.

He praised the Chief Minister’s eviction drive but said that further action is needed.

‘The people who are living in that particular area grabbed the lands, and tactically, they are buying the lands from Indigenous people. The Indigenous people don't want to sell, but because of the atrocities committed by those people. Out of fear, the Indigenous people sold their lands and ran away from that area,’ Momin stated.

He added, ‘Now the BJP government is strongly advocating the protection of Indigenous people. The Indigenous people are getting security under this government. Further, we need to take more action so that Assam can be saved from the infiltrators, invaders, and Assam can be peaceful and prosper politically, economically, and educationally. The Assam Chief Minister has started the movement, and those who love Assam should support this. Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma is the answer to the burning issues of Assam.’

Criticising the Congress party, Momin said that during its tenure, not a single eviction drive was carried out against those occupying Satras or other religious lands.

‘The Satras land, religious places, lands which doubtful citizens occupied—at that time, the Congress government was there, but they never took action against them. That directly indicates that the Congress is involved in and encouraging these activities by doubtful citizens. We have the evidence that the Congress is supporting the fundamental groups like Jamiyat and AAMSU. Because one of the MLAs of Congress openly said that, if Congress don't do these activities directly, they will give financial help to do those activities through AAMSU and Jamiyat,’ he said.

‘That means the Congress is directly involved. They are doing this for what? To kill the Indigenous people, destroy our culture and heritage, to grab the lands of Satras, religious places. I have enough evidence of what the Congress MLA said; they are financially helping AAMSU and Jamiyat. AAMSU is vocal against the Indigenous people of Assam, and they want to infiltrate more and more Bangladeshis, so that one day they can become the majority and have their own Chief Minister. But their dream will never come true. We, the Assamese people, will fight and protect the Indigenous people,’ he added.

Momin said that before the BJP came to power, the future of the Indigenous people was bleak. After 2016, more than 12 lakh Indigenous people were given land pattas, a step the Congress government had avoided, he claimed.

‘After 2016, under the BJP government, more than 12 lakh Indigenous people got land pattas, land rights. But during the Congress time, they didn't provide land pattas to the Indigenous people so that immigrant people would come and grab their lands. Now we have provided the land pattas to the Indigenous people. Their (Congress's) motto, motive and vision were to destroy Assam and make Assam an Islamic state. Now the BJP government has foiled their dream. The Indigenous people are very much comfortable in Assam,’ Momin said.

(ANI)