An umbrella body of over 30 socio-political organisations representing various ethnic groups in Assam on Saturday demanded urgent steps to stop influx of Bangladeshis into the state, saying unabated migration will reduce indigenous people to a minority.
Accusing the Congress regime in the state of protecting the illegal migrants, the United Peoples’ Federation of Assam (UPFA) sought immediate intervention of the Union government in checking continuing influx from the neighbouring country.
“We are here to apprise Union Home Minister P Chidambaram about the serious problem,” UPFA president Jebra Ram Muchahary told reporters.
Mr. Muchahary also urged the Centre to start the peace process in the militancy-infested state and said negotiations could be initiated with pro-talks militant groups.
“There are many leaders in the ULFA who want to participate in the talks with the Centre. The Government must start the process to bring permanent peace to the state,” he said. The UPFA has support of over 30 organisations of the state, he said.
Many surrendered militants have also extended support to the UPFA’s initiative to bring all the ethnic groups of the state in one platform, he added.