Centre's Assam package will trigger illegal immigration: Punj

"Our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently visited the violence-hit Assam and announced financial aid of Rs 300 crore for relief and rehabilitation of the affected people but (he) did not speak a single word to stop infiltration which led the riots in Assam," BJP MP Balbir Punj said.

Punj, who has been on the state visit since last week, was speaking to reporters here.

"The violence occurred in Assam (is) due to a large number of Bangladeshis having entered the state and grabbed local people's properties, who resorted to rioting to save their properties," Punj said, adding the Centre first have to put a check on illegal immigration if it wanted peace in Assam.

Clarifying that the BJP is not opposed to providing financial assistance to the strife-torn state, Punj said awarding special aid was only a superficial measure while the real problem lies in illegal immigration which has to be checked.

"UPA government at Centre is playing vote bank politics and creating social tension in Assam by not taking any step to stop infiltration but (instead) inviting infiltrators by announcing such a package," he said.