No adverse impact on state due to citizenship bill, Assam Accord's Clause 6 will bring stability: Himanta Sarma

With Assam on the boil over the citizenship bill, state minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday sought to allay people's fears saying the proposed law won't have an adverse impact and asserted that implementation of Clause 6 of Assam Accord will usher in new hope of "political stability".

Protests have erupted across Assam and other north-eastern states including Tripura after the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was passed by Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Thousands of people from all walks of life defied curfew and came out on the streets in Assam to protest against the bill. At least two persons died due to bullet injuries after police opened fire on protesters.

Sarma, BJP's key strategist for the northeast, said there is some resentment in Assam against the bill, but expressed confidence that there will be no "long-term political fallout" due to the proposed legislation, which he described as a "historic one".

Incidents of stone pelting on the residences of Chief Minister and Union Ministers have also been reported.

"This bill will help various refugees who came because of religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh will get citizenship. Of course there is some resentment in Assam but I am sure that this bill will not have an adverse effect," Sarma told PTI.

He further said Home Minister Amit Shah has promised the implementation of
As per the Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, the "constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people."