Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday raised a serious alarm over the deteriorating situation in neighbouring Bangladesh, specifically highlighting the increasing atrocities against the Hindu community. He warned that these developments could have direct repercussions on the security and social fabric of Assam, necessitating heightened vigilance.
Spillover Fears and Call for Vigilance
Reacting strongly to the recent killings of Hindus across the border, CM Sarma stated that Assam must remain cautious and alert. He pointed out that the state's security has perpetually been a matter of concern and will continue to be so until the broader geopolitical environment in the region shows significant improvement.
Addressing the media in Guwahati, the Chief Minister said, "Attacks on Hindus are increasing by the day, making the situation concerning, and its effects could be felt in Assam as well. We need to be cautious and vigilant." This statement underscores the government's apprehension about potential cross-border ripple effects from the communal violence.
Concerns Over Sleeper Cells and Recent Arrests
Elaborating on internal threats, CM Sarma asserted that 'jihadist' elements exist within Assam. He revealed that evidence of their presence has been gathered over the last decade. "There might still be some of them hidden in the state, operating as sleeper cells. Therefore, all these things are a cause for concern," he added.
This warning comes in the wake of a significant operation by Assam Police, which recently led to the apprehension of 11 individuals with alleged links to the Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK). The IMK is reported to be an offshoot of the Bangladesh-based militant group Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), formed in 2018. The state unit of the BJP has also officially condemned the killings of Hindus in Bangladesh.
Clarification on Electoral Roll Revisions
Shifting focus to a domestic administrative issue, the Chief Minister clarified the government's stance on the inclusion of names of evicted people in the electoral rolls. He firmly stated that individuals cannot be enrolled as voters in areas from which they have been evicted. "The individual must have a residence in a place to have their name in the electoral roll. They can apply for enrolment under the new place where they have shifted to," Sarma explained.
He provided a concrete example, noting that the names of approximately 11,000 voters from Uriamghat have been deleted from the electoral list. However, he emphasized that this is not disenfranchisement but a procedural correction. "That does not mean that their names will not be included in the roll. Their names will be included under their new place of residence. If someone is originally from Dhing and has now returned there, their name will be included in Dhing's roll," the CM concluded, outlining the process for legitimate re-enrollment.
