'Changing Demography Not Political Issue, A Matter Of Life And Death': Himanta Biswa Sarma Attacks JMM In Jharkhand

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday (17 July) promised that after coming to power in Jharkhand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will stop the exploitation of tribals by illegal immigrants.

Being BJP's election co-in-charge for the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections, Sarma was in Ranchi to address BJP Sankalp Sabha. He attacked the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-Congress coalition.

On being asked about changing demography, Sarma said, "It is a big issue for me because, in my Assam, the Muslim population has become 40 per cent. It was 12 per cent in 1951. We are losing districts to it."

"For me, the issue (changing demography) is not political, it is a matter of life and death for me. I struggle with it every day," Sarma said explaining his government's efforts for detecting illegal immigrants.

"Illegal immigrants are marrying tribal daughters but due diligence of law is not happening. Our BJP will make a law to stop exploitation of anyone if a tribal daughter marries an illegal immigrant," the Assam CM claimed.

On question that it is the responsibility of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to stop illegal immigration, Sarma said that once they cross borders, the responsibility comes to the state governments.

"Illegal immigrants first come to Assam and West Bengal. They then spread to Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh... Jharkhand High Court has asked the state government to detect and deport them," Sarma asserted.