Talking to media persons in Dibrugarh in Upper Assam, Sarma said, “As per the 2011 census 34 percent of the population is minority, so there are 3 percent indigenous Muslims and 31 percent is Muslims who migrated to Assam. So, if you project this on the basis of the 2021, 2031 and 2041 we come to a situation where it is 50 percent.”
He added, “Empirical data and past census records show that in a few years from now, Assam’s minority population will be close to 50%.”
Muslims comprise 34% of the 3.12 crore population of Assam, of which 3% are indigenous Assamese Muslims and the remaining are mostly Bengali- speaking Muslims.
Sarma said, “We are streamlining the existing process to issue arms licenses to the indigenous community in areas where they may be vulnerable”.
The Assam government earlier announced that the government will give arms licences to indigenous people living in “vulnerable and remote” areas.Sarma said, “The portal for applying for an arm license will be opened between August 1 and 7. The Deputy commissioner will verify the application and if found eligible licenses will be issued. Even people can physically submit the application.”Sarma earlier said arms licences will be granted to Original Inhabitants and indigenous Indian people living in vulnerable areas to tackle unlawful threats from hostile quarters.
He had said that this decision was taken after reviewing the “demand” of the people living in these areas. “Assam is a very different and sensitive state. Assamese people living in some areas have been feeling insecure and they have been demanding arms licences for a long time. The government will be lenient in giving licences to eligible people, who must be original inhabitants and must belong to the indigenous community living in vulnerable and remote areas of the state.
The chief minister said that in Dhubri, Morigaon, Barpeta, Nagaon and South Salmara-Mankachar, Goalpara districts indigenous people are minority, and they suffer from insecurity especially after the developments in neighbouring Bangladesh these people may be targeted from other side of border and even in their village they may be targeted.
He added, “Indigenous people are a small number in these areas. So people from these areas if they seek a license, the government will liberally provide them. This will ensure protection for our people in Dhing, Rupohi and Lahorighat. And Indigenous people from these places will not have to sell their land to move to different places. This move will provide confidence to them.”
The State government is preparing to carry out an eviction drive at Uriamghat in eastern Assam’s Golaghat district bordering Nagaland.
