Guwahati, Jan 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a sharp political attack on the opposition, accusing it of endangering Assam’s cultural identity and national security by encouraging infiltration for electoral gains.
Addressing a public gathering in Kaliabor, Modi stated that protecting Assam’s identity, land, and heritage remains one of the state’s most significant challenges. He praised the BJP-led Assam government for taking firm action against illegal encroachments, stating that forests, wildlife corridors, historic sites and people’s land were being reclaimed after decades of neglect.
“For years, Assam’s soil was handed over to infiltrators just for votes and power,” the Prime Minister alleged, claiming that infiltration increased significantly during opposition rule. He accused infiltrators of encroaching upon forest land and animal corridors, promoting poaching, and fuelling smuggling and other criminal activities, with little regard for Assam’s history, culture or faith.
Modi warned that infiltration was disturbing Assam’s demographic balance, “attacking culture, snatching jobs from the poor and youth, and fraudulently occupying land in tribal areas.” He said the issue posed a serious threat not only to Assam but also to the country’s internal security.
The Prime Minister alleged that the opposition’s only agenda was to protect infiltrators to regain power, urging the people to remain vigilant. Drawing a parallel with Bihar, Modi claimed opposition parties there had organised rallies to shield infiltrators, but were decisively rejected by voters.
“The people of the country are choosing development and good governance over negative politics,” Modi said, expressing confidence that Assam’s electorate would deliver a similar response.
His remarks come amid heightened political discourse in the Northeast over land rights, migration and identity, issues that have remained central to Assam’s electoral politics for decades.
