Assam CM Raises Alarm Over Rising Muslim Population, Alleged Infiltration

Assam Chief Minister Himant Biswa Sarma voiced concerns over the rising Muslim population in his state, now at 40 percent. Speaking at a BJP meeting, he also accused Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren of allowing Bangladeshi infiltrators to settle in tribal areas, promising strict measures in the party's manifesto.

Assam Chief Minister Himant Biswa Sarma on Wednesday claimed that the Muslim population in his state has now risen to 40 percent, calling it a 'big issue' for the region.

Sarma, who is also the BJP's Jharkhand election co-in charge, stated this while addressing party members here.

'I come from Assam and demographic change is a significant concern for me. Muslim population in my state is 40 percent now, up from 12 percent in 1951. This is not a political issue for me; it's a matter of life and death,' he told reporters.

Earlier, he addressed party workers, alleging an increase in Bangladeshi infiltrators in Jharkhand's tribal areas. Sarma asserted that the BJP's manifesto for the upcoming state assembly election would include a strong action plan against infiltrators.

'The infiltrators come to Jharkhand and marry tribal girls to take over their land. I advocate for a law that prevents tribal girls from marrying infiltrators,' he said.

He also accused the JMM-led alliance government of failing to spur development, citing a lack of new universities and engineering colleges, and insufficient job openings for youths over the past five years.

Sarma highlighted that the NDA secured nine out of 14 seats in Jharkhand and led in 51 assembly segments during the Lok Sabha elections.

(With inputs from agencies.)