GUWAHATI: The BJP national general secretary, Ram Madhav on Thursday said sustained misinformation campaign in had created apprehension among people driving them on agitational course in the Northeast.
“There has been a sustained misinformation campaign in the northeastern states over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 and Bill to grant ST status to six communities in Assam. The party will try to allay the fears among the people as well as its partners,” Ram Madhav said.
“We are a part of ruling alliance in most of the northeastern states. We will not let down the trusts and hopes of people. Our government is dedicated and committed to fulfill the aspirations of the people of the NE states,” said the BJP leader talking to newsmen here.
“I believe that some the people’s concern over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 is genuine but there is an attempt to create trouble and incite violence through opposition to the Bill in Assam and Manipur,” he added.
Referring to the recently constituted High powered committee on implementation of the Clause 6 of Assam Accord, Ram Madhav said that four members of the committee had resigned due to this disinformation campaign.
“However, the BJP’s commitment to implement the Clause 6 of the Accord is absolute and we appeal them to come back and participate in the committee for good,” he added.
He justified granting citizenship to the minority communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan saying those victims of Partition had nowhere else to look up to except India.
“The citizenship will be granted with due formality of upon completion of seven years residence in the country,” he added.
Admitting that there were opposition to the Citizenship Bill within the party in Assam as well as BJP’s partners in North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), the BJP leader said that there were efforts to allay apprehension.