Former Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed on the implementation of all clauses of the Assam Accord.
Mahanta also raised his party’s concern over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 during his meeting with the Prime Minister.
“Though it was a courtesy call, I have discussed about implementation of all the clauses of the Assam Accord. I have also told the Prime Minister that Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 will not be in the interest of Assam,” Mahanta said.
Mahanta further said the Prime Minister has assured that interest of Assam will always be kept in mind.
Opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, Mahanta told Modi Assam will suffer the most if the Bill is passed.
Mahanta said that he had explained to the Prime Minister that the root cause of the problem in Assam is non-implementation of the Assam Accord. “The Assam Accord should be implemented and the NRC should be updated according to the Accord,” he said.
Mahanta exuded confidence that updating of the NRC will solve the foreigners’ problem in the State to a great extent. “Therefore steps should be taken to prepare a correct NRC,” he added.
Mahanta said a major problem is that neighbouring countries refuse to take back those who are declared as illegal migrants. India should sign bilateral agreements with neighbouring countries to take back those who are identified as their citizens, he stressed.
Mahanta also allayed fears of those whose names did not figure in the first draft of NRC. “Even in case of voter’s list, sometimes names are dropped or misspelt. These can be rectified,” he argued.