Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal blamed the Opposition Congress and Left groups for creating a disturbance in the state.

Addressing a large gathering at the peace rally organised by the ruling alliance (BJP-AGP-BPF) at Sualkuchi in Kamrup district on Sunday, the chief minister said those responsible for violence and creating a disturbance in the state will not be spared.

The hub of Assam’s silk industry, Sualkuchi, witnessed two back-to-back public rallies from Saturday when the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) also held a massive march against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Sonowal said, “Since coming to power, the state government has been working to create an atmosphere suitable for the students. We want our children to study and excel in all fields so that Assam can march ahead as one of the most advanced states. But in the recent disturbance hampering the student-friendly situation in the state, we have found the hands of the Opposition Congress and Leftist groups. Those involved will face stern action.”

On Saturday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Assam might return to the path of violence due to the policies of the BJP governments at the Centre and state.

The former Congress party president, addressing a public rally here, said the spirit of the Assam Accord, which brought peace to the state, should not be ruined.

The chief minister also asked the people of the state to repose faith in him.

He said, “All these years, we have tried to work in total transparency and in a fair way. No one complained. Then why now? I want the people of Assam to keep their faith in me and my government. I will never let you down.”

Sonowal assured the crowd of taking all steps to provide constitutional safeguards to the indigenous people of the state.

AGP president and state’s agriculture minister Atul Bora, who was also present in the rally, said the regional camp will stick to the BJP because it has faith in it.

Bora said, “We have seen the days of the Congress regime before. They did nothing to implement the Assam Accord. It is the Modi government which has taken concrete steps to implement Clause 6 to provide constitutional safeguards to the indigenous people. We are convinced that this government will take effective measures for the benefit of the state.”

The AGP said it would continue to fight against CAA while staying inside the government. State finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who represents Jalukbari constituency that includes Sualkuchi, said, “The huge gathering has proved that the public is with us. The anti-CAA protesters alleged that the BJP has hired the public for their meeting. I want to challenge them that if they can prove that a single person attending the peace rally is hired, I will leave politics forever.”

Similar peace rallies were also planned on January 4 here followed by Biswanath and Dhemaji and other places across the state subsequently.