Guwahati, Aug 27: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that he will keep taking sides and won’t let ‘Miya’ Muslims take over the state.

The term ‘Miya’ refers to Muslims of Bengali origin who are often alleged to be ‘illegal immigrants.’

While speaking at Assam Legislative Assembly over opposition’s question for targeting muslim minority and failure of law and order, Sarma replied, “I will take sides; what can you do? Won’t let Miya Muslims take over Assam.”

“Let them compete for minority votes, I am not there in the Competition. The MLA of Janiya Constituency and leader of opposition have intentionally or unintentionally has said a big thing. What ever you can do just do but I will take my side,” Sarma said.

“A big thing has been said by Rafikul Sahab and Debabrata Saikia that people will move from lower Assam to upper Assam, but why they will move, give me the answer. You all want to take the whole lower Assam, you all Miya Muslim people will take the entire lower Assam? We will not let you all take the lower Assam, no, never,” Sarma stressed.

Sarma’s remarks come two days after Opposition MLA Akhil Gogoi claimed that the BJP is trying to recreate the 2002 Gujarat episodes in Assam.

Gogoi’s statement came on Sunday amid reports that some organisations have allegedly been threatening Miya Muslims in Upper Assam to leave the administrative division.

The opposition All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has also written to Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya seeking action against unknown organisations and fundamentalist groups issuing threats to the Muslim community, demanding that they leave Upper Assam.

Talking to reporters, Opposition leader Debabrata Saikia said, “Their are so many instances of failure of law and order in the sense of rape, dacoity, murder, etc. We have given statistics about it. In a span of seven days in the month June there are more then 20 cases of murder, arson, etc. Similarly, in this BJP period, at least six cases of rape per day (are happening) according to the statistics, which is more than the last 15 years of Congress rule in Assam.”

“Chief minister is trying to say that some some community was involved. There was assult on Indian citizen belonging to minority community. But chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tries to say that only one community is responsible for crimes in Assam but statistics don’t say such thing. So, we have asked for a discussion regarding the matter but chief minister is saying very communal thing. We have protested and walk out from the assembly,” Saikia further said.

Read: Tura women hold candlelight vigil seeking justice for murdered trainee doctor in Kolkata

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