Guwahati: Asserting that provisions of the Assam Accord will not be violated by the Citizenship bill, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday claimed “unnecessary social disturbance” was being created over the bill ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Replying to the debate on Governor’s speech during the ongoing Budget Session of Assam Assembly, Sonowal said no one in the state should feel threatened as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not take any decision to hurt the emotions and interests of the North-East region or Assam.
“It is not right to unnecessarily create social disturbance ahead of Lok Sabha polls. Polls will come and go, but we will not harm the indigenous people,” Sonowal said.
“All are 100 per cent safe here. We will continue to work for the people of Brahmaputra and Barak valleys,” he added.
Talking about the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, the chief minister asserted it is not true that the Assam Accord will be violated if the bill was implemented.
“Many people are giving data on illegal foreigners, but without any basis. Once NRC is done, we will get the actual figure of illegal foreigners,” he added.
Sonowal said it would be a shame if people were misled by false information and the healthy environment of the state was destroyed.
“In the last two and half years, we have not done anything secretly. We have to maintain good academic environment and we will not be pardoned if we destroy this for our cheap political gains,” he said.
Reacting to the ongoing protests against the bill, Sonowal said, “You can definitely talk and debate the Citizenship Bill, we will listen. But you do not have right to go on roads, disturb peace and affect livelihood of the poor. It is undemocratic.”
Sonowal asked the Opposition parties to stop spreading lies.
“Assam will not lag behind unless you create disturbances. There should be tolerance. We, the ruling party, cooperate with your demands. You also have the responsibility to tell the people truth,” Sonowal said to the Opposition. (PTI)
