The Opposition Congress has latched on to the Assam government’s decision to declare the entire state as disturbed for six months to dismiss Union home minister Amit Shah’s claim that peace has been established in the state.
Shah had on Thursday asserted at a well-attended rally in Nagaon district in poll-bound Assam that the state was once known for agitation and violence. “But to enhance the prestige of Assam, Modi ji did whatever was possible... he never looked back. Sabse bada kaam kiya, Assam ke andar shanti ashtaphit karne ka kiya (one of the important things he did was to establish peace in Assam)...”
Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi on Friday countered Shah’s assertion by asking why Assam was then declared disturbed for another six months.
Assam governor Jagdish Mukhi had on Wednesday declared the entire state as disturbed under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 up to six months beyond February 27 without citing any reason. The act, which provides security forces with immense powers for conducting operations or arresting someone as and when required to maintain order in a disturbed area, is continuing in the state since 1990 and it was last extended on August 28.
“Yesterday Amit Shah dangoriya had claimed that the BJP had made Assam bullet-free, violence free. Whatever we (Congress) did for conflict-resolution was simply wiped away. If they have actually made Assam bullet-free, violence-free, why did the Assam government then declare the state as disturbed under the AFSPA for six months. We want this answer from Assam chief minister!,” Bordoloi said, while describing BJP leaders as faakibaaz (liars).
Assam PCC chief Ripun Bora through a tweet too contested Shah’s claim of ushering in peace.
“It was the @INCAssam that brought Assam out of conflict and militancy. It was @AmitShah's CAA that pushed Assam back into conflict, curfews, and violence. Without peace there can be no progress. Assam wants Congress back.”
The contentious CAA, which provides for citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan to those who have entered India till December 2014, has been widely protested in Assam. Most in Assam see the CAA as a threat to Assamese culture and identity.
Bordoloi also took a dig at Shah’s claim of making Assam flood-free if the BJP is elected for another five years.
Assam will be having a three-phased polls on March 27, April 1 and April 6.
“I want to remind Amit Shah and our chief minister about a promise made by Prime Minister to tackle flood and erosion on August 1, 2017. He had promised Rs 100 crore to study the problem, Rs 400 to tackle erosion and Rs 250 crore for flood relief. You will be surprised to know that this amount has not been released by the Centre, nothing has come of these announcements. It is another jumla. If PM’s announcements are not implemented, then how can one believe Shah?”
Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, Rajya Sabha MP from the state, too hit out at Shah in a tweet , “In 2016, BJP promised dredging of Brahmaputra to prevent floods, but I was informed in Parliament by concerned minister that there’s no such plan. Yesterday, Amit Shah made a silly promise of digging up reservoirs to stock excess water from Brahmaputra. There’s limit to bluffing.”
