Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday said no fresh influx from Bangladesh would take place under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. He also said he would ensure the identity, culture, literature and language of the Assamese people and invite anti-CAA leaders for talks .

Sonowal conveyed this through a press meet, his first since the state slipped into protest mode on December 10 over the “anti-Assam” legislation.

It also came a day after a group of BJP MLAs met him to apprise him about the situation triggered by the anti-CAA protests and the need to reach out to the masses about his stand and what the government intends to do to address their concerns.

Though his commitment to protect the Assamese identity has found few takers, with the All Assam Students’ Union and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad vowing to carry on with their protests, BJP insiders said a beginning was made to restore normalcy.

Sonowal said he was chief minister because of the people and that he has and will always work for the people and that there was no reason to distrust him while stressing on the following:

CAA beneficiary numbers: Sonowal stressed on allaying fears that CAA will open the floodgates for Bangladeshis to apply for citizenship as feared by the protesters.

“No new people will come. Their numbers will be small. Assam will always remain with the Assamese. Nobody from Bangladesh can come today and apply for citizenship. There will be no threat to Assamese society,” he said.

According to the legislation, persecuted non-Muslims who have entered India from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan till December 2014 will be eligible for citizenship.

Those against the law said it has violated the Assam Accord where the cut-off date was March 24, 1971 for detection, deletion and deportation of illegal immigrants.

Sonowal did not specify the estimated beneficiaries but said these things will become clear after the application process is over. He also said he does not have the eligibility criteria because rules are yet to be framed.

“But I can assure you that I will be proved right. Their number will be negligible. We will get the numbers once the application process is over and then those misleading the people with their exaggerated figures of 1.5 crore, 2 crore will be exposed. You will say I was right,” Sonowal added.

Clause 6 report soon: The chief minister said he was trying to expedite the report of the committee to recommend constitutional safeguards under Clause 6 of the 1985 Assam Accord.

“The committee has assured to submit the report within a month. Clause 6 implementation will ensure protection to the Assamese society for all time to come. The Prime Minister and the home minister all are committed to the implementation of the clause. We are sure we will not have to worry about our future if Clause 6 is implemented. Let us come forward and work together for its implementation,” he said.

Of language and land

He started with protection and promotion of the Assamese language, a demand raised by the BJP MLAs who met him on Thursday. “I want to convey that Assamese is the state language (rajya bhaxa) and will continue to remain the state language. I give you my word,” he said.

Like language, he also said his government will, through its land policy, protect the land of the indigenous.

Ceiling-surplus land of the tea tribes will remain with them.

“Our land will remain with us. There is nothing to worry. Nobody can take away our rights. Till I am chief minister, I will not allow Assam to become weak. Our jati mati bheti and bhaxa will remain secure,” he said.

Invitation for talks: Sonowal said he was open to dialogue because everything can be resolved through it. He appealed to the anti-CAA brigade leaders to come forward for talks and said he has asked the chief secretary to send the invites. CMO sources said invites are being sent.

However, with the protesters firm on getting the CAA repealed from Assam, it will take more than an appeal to get them on board, more so when they have openly said they want CAA to go.

“Moreover, Sonowal is saying till he is chief minister we have nothing to worry, our jati mati bheti is secure. What will happen if he not there tomorrow?” one of the protesters asked, a query which has not been lost on the ruling BJP.

“We will need to do more to address the concern of the people but am happy a beginning has been made,” a BJP legislator said.