Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in a video appeal to the people of the state Thursday said that they need not worry about the Citizenship Amendment Bill as their traditional culture, language, political and land rights will be protected by implementing Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.
Sonowal said that some people are trying to spread misinformation to mislead people and aggravate the situation.
He said a committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Justice (Retd) Biplab Sarmah, who has been given the task to prepare recommendations for ensuring the constitutional safeguards of the people of Assam.
The Centre has categorically stated that the recommendations of Clause 6 Committee will be fully implemented within a timeframe, the chief minister said.
"The Committee will complete its work and submit its recommendations to the Centre soon and it will be implemented soon after it is submitted. I believe that the people of Assam will get full protection," he said.
"I firmly believe that the sensible people of Assam will never believe in the misinformation as they are generally peace-loving people ... We condemn those who are
spreading misinformation and disturbing the peace of the state," he said.
He also appealed to all sections of the society to come forward and create an atmosphere of situation of peace and tranquility in which the students can study and excel in their academic fields.
However, Assam Assembly Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami said doubts expressed over the bill are not baseless, and there is a strong possibility of it creating division if implemented.
In a statement, Goswami appealed to the Central government to take necessary steps to redress the anger and grievances of the people of Assam.
'After the passage of the bill by the Rajya Sabha yesterday, the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill has become an act. Though I should not comment on the Act as I am discharging Constitutional duties as Speaker, but as a person working for the nation and community through the Assam agitation, I feel that the doubt created by this act is not baseless,' he said.
'There is a strong possibility of creating division among different castes, communities and languages if this act is implemented,' he said.
Goswami said after the Lok Sabha approved the earlier version of the bill in January, he had said that as a neutral citizen of the state, his conscience would not support any step threatening Assam's unity and integrity.
'I still have that stand and it will remain in future too... Along with my Constitutional responsibilities as a Speaker, I am also committed to the all-round development of my constituency. But, I cannot be above the public even if I am the Speaker.
'I appeal to the Central government to take necessary steps to redress the anger and grievances of the people of Assam and particularly the younger generation of the state,' said Goswami, who is a Bharatiya Janata Party MLA.
He also appealed to the people of Assam to give importance in maintaining peace and tranquility.
'I have learnt a lot during the last 30 years of my active participation in politics and I respect the thoughts and ideas of the younger generation,' the Speaker added.
