Guwahati, 20 February (HS): Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that his government is also developing the minority-dominated areas of the state equally. He said that in Muslim-dominated areas, schools, colleges, medical colleges, big roads, bridges etc. are being constructed on a large scale. In this connection, the Chief Minister discussed the bridge being built between Morigaon and Darang on the Brahmaputra River, doubling of the bridge on the Brahmaputra River at Jogighopa, the Dhubri-Phulguri under-construction bridge on the Brahmaputra River etc. The Chief Minister was replying to the debate on the Governor's address on the third day of the ongoing budget session of the Assam Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

During the debate, MLA Sherman Ali alleged that there is a difference between the government's words and actions. The state has 40% minority population, but no facilities for education, medical, transportation etc. are being prepared in minority-dominated areas. There is not a single bridge from Guwahati to Goalpara. There are no teachers in schools and doctors in hospitals.

At the same time, MLA Aminul Islam alleged that minorities were neglected during the 52 years of Congress rule. After the BJP government was formed, a hope was raised, but the minority areas did not developed. He said that Assam cannot be included in the category of five states of the country due to lack of equal development of all the areas of the state. He alleged that a syndicate is being formed under the protection of the ruling party. The police is committing atrocities in minority-dominated areas. Policemen pick up people from their homes at night and release them after taking money. Gambling is going on continuously under the protection of the police. He said that minorities are also equally responsible for the increasing debt burden on the state. But, minority areas are not being developed.

In his reply, the Chief Minister said that when minorities were being massacred in Bodoland during the rule of the Congress, Dr. Sarma stood in defense of the minorities. When minorities were being shot at in Udalguri, Dr Sarma himself stood in their protection. Therefore, such allegations are baseless. The Chief Minister said that only a person who has Sanatan sanskar (culture) can stand with everyone with respect.

In the meantime, MLA Akhil Gogoi accused the Chief Minister of changing his tune as elections are approaching. The Chief Minister said that he does not want the votes of any one. He will not even go to ask for votes. But, he will do justice to everyone while being the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister said that he has no sympathy for those who deal in drugs, commit crimes, do love jihad, encroachers of Batdrava land. But, all common people are being given their rights equally, whether they are minorities.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash