Invited leaders of anti-CAA agitation for talks: Assam CM

Allaying fears over Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sowal on Friday said he invited leaders of anti- citizenship law agitation for talks and that his government was committed to work for best interests of its people. Addressing a press conference here, Sowal gave assurances that he would t allow anyone to harm rights and hour of state's indigeus population. chief minister also clarified that one would be able to move to Assam from Bangladesh by means of amended Citizenship Act.

READ: Assam CM Sarbananda Sowal Promises To Protect Rights Of People Of Assam

Sarbananda Sowal on CAA and Assam

"Assam will always remain for Assamese. person from Bangladesh will be able to come to Assam through Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Only those staying among us for decades (having fled Bangladesh) due to religious persecution can apply for Indian citizenship," he stated.

chief minister insisted that number of applicants would be "negligible".

"When process of filing application for citizenship will be over, a list will be published... People will n find out if my assertion that number will be negligible is correct or wrong," Sowal said.

READ | Strong Action Against Those Involved In Violence: Assam CM Sarbananda Sowal

Sowal reminds he once moved Top Court

CM sought to remind people that he had once moved Supreme Court to protect ir rights.

"For you, I had gone to Supreme Court. Don't think I am any different from you. I am with you," he said.

Sowal had in early 2000s moved apex court seeking revocation of controversial Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act and Rules. court had struck down IMDT Act as unconstitutional. "Assamese langu will be protected as state langu forever. People's rights will be secure. body can take away ir land, hour and political rights. I was made chief minister to ensure ir development. I assure you one can steal rights of sons of soil," he claimed. Asserting that a Special Investigation Team would probe every case related to violent protests over citizenship law, chief minister said he invited leaders spearheading agitation for talks.

"I have invited leaders of anti-citizenship law agitation for talks across table as I believe through discussions everything is possible. I have extended our invitation through chief secretary. Toger we can chalk out a solution, a way out..." Sowal clarified.

READ: Assam CM Sarbananda Sowal On Statewide CAB Protests

CAA was a 'natural commitment'

Maintaining that a section of people were misleading ors by claiming that 1.5 crore refugees from Bangladesh "will be settled in land of indigeus people of Assam", Sowal said, "It is false propaganda. Those spreading such misinformation will soon be exposed."

"It is certain that granting of citizenship cant have any impact on our social construct. Clause 6 of Assam Accord grants constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to protect, preserve and promote cultural, social, linguistic identity and herit of Assamese people," he said.

CM pointed out that amended Citizenship Act was a "national commitment" and re was political motive behind its implementation. "Do t doubt us and distance us from you. We are all united. Come forward to solve Assam's problems through discussions," CM iterated. Describing those that unleashed violence in state during anti-CAA protests as "enemies of Assam", he said, "ir only nda is to grasp power by disturbing peace." On a delegation of BJP MLAs calling on him and urging him to allay fears and doubts regarding amended law, Sowal said, "I am happy y upheld ir responsibility and apprised me of people's concerns in ir respective constituencies. I thank m."

READ: Assam CM Sarbananda Sowal Calls For Peace, Urges To t Get 'misled About CAB'

Protests in Assam

Violent protests had erupted in state after Rajya Sabha last week passed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, forcing administration to impose curfew on several trouble-torn areas, including Guwahati and Dibrugarh. With situation w returning to rmal, curfew has been lifted or relaxed and mobile internet services restored in cities and towns.