Demography in BTR is as grim as the rest of Assam, says CM Sarma

BJP won’t field candidates against Hagrama, Pramod

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today said that, as is the case in the rest of Assam, the situation on encroachment of lands is a cause of serious concern in the BTR as well. The chief minister has also dropped a hint that the BJP may not field any candidate against BTC CEM Pramod Boro and his predecessor Hagrama Mahilary in the BTC election.

Talking to the media today, the Chief Minister said, “People belonging to as many as 26 ethnic groups have been residing in the BTR. As of now, there has been no proposal for an eviction drive in the region, as some of the indigenous people have no land pattas. In other areas in the state, we’ve given land settlement to the indigenous people through Mission Basundhara and conducted the eviction drive later. We’ll give land settlements to the 26 ethnic groups, including Gorias, Morias, Jalhas and others living in the BTR. After that, we’ll think of who is to be driven out from the BTR. The demographic situation in the BTR is as grim as the rest of the state. The demographic pattern in the BTR is changing fast, with voters from a particular community rising fast. The Bodos agitated for a long period. If the demographic pattern changes at such a pace in the BTR, the day is not far when Bodos will lose their political rights.”

On the BTC election, the Chief Minister said, “As of now, the BJP is not in a mood to field candidates against Hagrama Mohilary and Pramod Boro. We’re, however, in the dark as to from which constituencies they will fight the BTC election. We’ll take our decision after the declaration of their lists of candidates by the BPF and the UPPL.”

The Chief Minister said that all political parties should field candidates in the BTR election, and that will make the people of the region feel that democracy has returned. “We’ve an understanding with all, including the BPF, UPPL and Anjali Daimary. The BJP will play the lead role in forming the BTC,” he said.

The BTC poll will be in the last part of September this year.

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