Jamshedpur: Assam CM warns against rising infiltration, calls for unified action  

Jamshedpur: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted that addressing the issue of infiltration is a shared responsibility that extends beyond the Union government’s jurisdiction.

“The intruders are already inside. We would be very happy if this responsibility is given to the Centre. If Jharkhand government writes to us that Centre should drive out the intruders from the state and that his government will cooperate, I would call Hemant Soren a hero,” said Sarma.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Sarma, who is also serving as the BJP’s Jharkhand election co-in-charge, highlighted the increasing severity of infiltration in Jharkhand’s Santhal Pargana region and raised concerns about its potential impact on the state.

In his remarks, Sarma pointed out that the Santhal Pargana region has experienced a dramatic 50-60 percent rise in the population of infiltrators over the past two decades. He warned that this trend could lead to a situation similar to that of Assam, where infiltration has significantly altered demographic patterns. Sarma claimed that the Muslim population in Assam, which was 12 percent in 1952, has surged to 40-42 percent in recent years, attributing this increase largely to infiltration.

“If infiltration continues unchecked, the day might come when the Chief Minister will have to surrender to the infiltrators,” Sarma warned. He emphasized that tackling the issue of infiltration is not merely a political concern but a critical responsibility that must be shared by all stakeholders to safeguard the integrity of the state. Sarma urged for a consensus among state officials and called for proactive measures to address the infiltration crisis.

Sarma’s comments come in response to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s repeated criticisms of the central government for not effectively addressing the issue of infiltration. Soren has argued that the responsibility to curb infiltration lies with the Union government. In contrast, Sarma has underscored that the challenge of infiltration transcends political lines and requires a collective effort from all levels of government and society.

During the press interaction, Sarma also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his stance on the caste survey. Sarma questioned Gandhi’s position on conducting a nationwide caste survey without disclosing one’s own caste. “Rahul Gandhi wants a caste survey but does not want to reveal his own caste,” Sarma remarked. He highlighted that while caste surveys have been conducted in states like Bihar, the feasibility of a nationwide survey without full transparency on caste identities remains in question.

Sarma’s critique of Gandhi’s position on the caste survey reflects ongoing debates about the need for such surveys and the issues of transparency and accountability involved. The Chief Minister’s comments underscore the complexity of the caste survey issue and its implications for broader social and political discourse.

In his concluding remarks, Sarma reiterated the importance of collective responsibility in addressing the infiltration issue. “Politics will continue, and governments will come and go, but saving the state from the threat of infiltration is a duty that falls upon everyone,” he said. Sarma’s statements reflect a broader call for unity and collaborative action in addressing critical challenges facing the state and the nation.