Unnecessary disturbance being created over Citizenship bill: Sonowal

Press Trust of India  |  Guwahati 

Friday said "unnecessary social disturbance" was being created in the state over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 before the polls.

No one should feel threatened as will not take any decision to hurt the emotions of the people of the northeast or the interests of Assam, he said replying to the Governor's speech during the ongoing budget session of assembly.

"It is not right to unnecessarily create social disturbance... Polls will come and go, but we (govt) will not harm the indigenous people," he said.

"All are 100 per cent safe here (in Assam). We will continue to work for the people of Brahmaputra and Barak valleys," he added.

Criticising the ongoing protests against the bill in the state, said, "You (protestors) can definitely talk and debate the Citizenship Bill, we will listen."

"But you do not have the right to take to the road, disturb peace and affect livelihood of the poor. It is undemocratic," he added.

The asserted that it was not true that the Assam Accord will be violated if the bill is implemented.

"Many people are giving data on illegal foreigners, but without any basis. Once the National Register of Citizens is done, we will get the actual figure of illegal foreigners," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Fri, February 01 2019. 21:00 IST