Bangladesh unrest: Assam monitoring situation closely, says CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati: With the situation in neighbouring Bangladesh remains volatile, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the government is closely monitoring developments in Bangladesh.

Talking to media person Batadrava Sarma said that every development across the border was being keenly watched. “We all have seen how the Hindu population is being tortured and burnt alive in Bangladesh. Their leaders repeatedly say that Northeast India needs to be cut off and controlled by Bangladesh.”

He added, “That is why we need to keep a sharp eye on the issue, and I believe we should stay careful as well.”


Sarma said eviction drives against illegal encroachments would continue in a phased manner across Assam. “ We will carry that forward in phases. We have an aim to evict all those lands that are illegally occupied."

Sarma also said that the eviction drives would take place in char (riverine) areas. Sarma visited the Batadrava Cultural Project site in Nagaon district and reviewed the final phase of construction work of the project and inspected the venue for the public meeting to be held in connection with its formal inauguration. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will formally inaugurate the Project on December 29.

The Batadrava Cultural Project has been undertaken by the Government of Assam with the objective of developing the sacred Batadrava Than, the birthplace of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva, into a world-class spiritual and tourism destination.

Sarma during the visit reviewed the final phase of construction work of the project and inspected the venue for the public meeting to be addressed by the union Home minister.

The Batadrava Cultural Project is being developed at an estimated cost of around Rs. 217 crores on 162 bighas of land that were freed from encroachment as part of a focused initiative of the Assam Government. The project aims to preserve and showcase the religious and cultural legacy of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva while providing modern facilities for visitors.

The Chief Minister said during his visit on December 29, the Home Minister is scheduled to inaugurate the Police Commissioner’s office in Guwahati, launch the city’s CCTV surveillance system, inaugurate the Jyoti Bishnu Sanskritik Auditorium, and later travel to Nagaon to inaugurate the Batadrava redevelopment project.