The Assam Congress has demanded a public apology from chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his “ready to cede territory to Mizoram” statement.
Assam Congress working president – Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha and former MP – Sushmita Dev, in a joint statement, demanded a public apology from CM Sarma for his “highly irresponsible statement to surrender Barak valley and up to Guwahati and Nalbari”.
“BJP leadership is making such hollow statement to cover up their own lapses, failure to resolve border disputes and to create confusion among public for their narrow political motive,” the statement added.
The Assam Congress also hit back at the BJP for accusing it of inciting violence along the inter-state border.
“The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee strongly condemns BJP’s irresponsible statement on Assam-Mizoram border tension that Congress party is fuelling violence by inciting statements,” the statement said.
Assam Congress said: “The fact that Assam and Mizoram police resorted to violent clashes the very next day of meeting Hon’ble Home Minister of India showed how seriously the northeastern CMs had treated that meeting. An exponent of divisive politics, it’s rather BJP which is fueling hatred and infighting in North East States.”
Reacting to BJP leaders’ claims that “external forces” were fuelling violence along Assam-Mizoram border, the Congress said that “if the claims are true, then it’s a matter of great concern and the Hon’ble Home Minister of India is answerable for this intelligence lapse”.
The Assam Congress further demanded a judicial enquiry into the claims of the BJP leaders.
“Himanta Biswa Sarma is responsible for this deteriorated relationship among Northeast States. NEDA is North East Disaster Alliance,” senior Assam Congress leader Sushmita Dev said.