Assam CM Sarma says won't let Miya Muslims take over the state
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told the state assembly that he would not let Miya Muslims (Bengali-speaking Muslims) take over the state, triggering protests from the Congress which staged a walkout. These remarks come at a time when several organisations in Upper Assam have threated Muslims to leave the region following the alleged gang rape of a 14-year-old girl by three persons in Assam's Nagaon district.
Speaking in the assembly on the Opposition's adjournment motion on several key issues, including rape of minors and the targeting of Muslims in Upper Assam's Sivasagar district, Sarma said, «I will take sides. What can you do? Will not let Miya Muslims take over Assam...Let them (the Opposition) compete for minority votes. I am not in the competition.»
Harping on Opposition leaders Rafikul Sahab and Debabrata Saikia stating that Miya Muslims will move from Lower Assam, where they are present in significant numbers, to Upper Assam, Sarma said: «They have made an important statement… You Miya Muslims will take the entire lower Assam? We will not let you all take Upper Assam, not ever.»
Amid the heated debate, members of both treasury and opposition benches stormed into the Well of the House, prompting Speaker Biswajit Daimary to adjourn the proceedings for 10 minutes.
The Opposition All-India United Democratic Front has written to governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, seeking action against unknown organisations issuing threats to Muslims in Upper Assam.
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