Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said in the state Assembly that he would not be able to maintain law and order in the state if the people of Lower Assam went to Upper Assam against the wishes of the indigenous people.

His assertions came during a discussion on an adjournment motion moved by the Opposition on the prevailing law and order situation, triggered by the seven-day deadline given to Miya Muslims on Friday to leave Upper Assam by a host of organisations representing the interests of indigenous Assamese people and the August 22 Dhing “gangrape” case in which three Muslim youths are the accused.

Miya Muslims are Bengali-speaking Muslims, originally hailing from present-day Bangladesh. They now mainly live in Lower Assam and Barak Valley districts. The Upper Assam people consider them as illegal migrants from Bangladesh.

Sarma said: “Today, knowingly or unknowingly, Jania MLA Rafiqul Islam and LOP Debabrata Saikia have made a big statement that people will go from Lower Assam to Upper Assam! ...Why they will go, tell me? Why they will go?... It means you will take over entire Assam... Miya Muslims, will take over entire Assam!.... We will also not allow,” Sarma said, leading to adjournment.

After the House reassembled, Sarma said the Opposition had asserted people would go from Lower Assam to Upper Assam to do business and to work, citing their constitutional rights, but such statements might aggravate the situation.

Sarma requested the Opposition to withdraw their statements. He also said such an aggressive stance would make it difficult for him to maintain law and order.

Sarma requested people of Lower Assam (alluding to Miya Muslims) not to be aggressive. “I just want to tell you one thing, don’t forcibly go to places where the Assamese people don’t want; go when they want... There will be no security if you go against the wishes of the people of Upper Assam. There will be security if you go as they wish....