Blaming the agitation over Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 in Assam for the rise in anti-India activities, state Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said that 75 Rohingya Muslims have been arrested in Assam since 2009, and that a network of sympathisers has come up in the state for the Rohingiyas.
"We have found that there is a systematic network of sympathizers for these people who assist them with food and shelter. The first Rohingya Muslim was detected in Assam in February 22, 2009 in Paltan Bazar bus stand in Guwahati while another was detected in May 15, 2010," he said.
"These arrests have been made in districts which have witnessed a change in the demographic profile. Around 14 districts of Assam have witnessed a demographic change," the Minister said.
Sarma said the sympathisers are taking advantage of the agitation.
He said the government has asked the police to scan if there are Rohingyas in villages. The border police has also been put on alert, he added.
The minister said the state police have arrested 15 people and registered 19 cases post-Pulwama terror attack for anti-India and pro-Pakistani stand in social media.
--IANS
ah/prs
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