Guwahati, In a recent development, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has vehemently refuted the claims made by lawyer Kapil Sibal during a Supreme Court hearing on the Citizenship Act. Sibal asserted that Assam was historically part of Myanmar, a statement that Sarma strongly contested.
Sarma, known for his strategic role within the BJP in the northeast, countered Sibal’s remarks, stating, “Those who have no knowledge of Assam’s history should not speak. Assam was never a part of Myanmar.” He clarified that historical clashes were brief, and there is no substantial data supporting the claim of Assam being part of Myanmar.
The verbal sparring between Sarma and Sibal comes at a sensitive time, coinciding with the ongoing crisis in Manipur, where the issue of illegal immigrants from Myanmar is a significant contributing factor to the violence. Leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, have highlighted the impact of illegal immigration on the unrest in the northeast state.
During the Supreme Court proceedings, Sibal argued that migration patterns in Assam are complex and cannot be accurately traced. He claimed that Assam was originally part of Myanmar and was handed over to the British in 1824 after they conquered a portion of the territory.
This exchange of words is not isolated from the broader context of the situation in Manipur. The Kuki tribes, with ties to Myanmar’s Chin State and Mizoram, are seeking a separate administration in Manipur. The mention of Myanmar in public discourse has become emotionally charged, particularly in light of the events in Manipur.
Mizoram’s new Chief Minister Lalduhoma has expressed intentions to discuss the issues of refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh, as well as displaced Kuki tribes from Manipur, with Home Minister Amit Shah and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar in Delhi. Mizoram has already taken in over 35,000 refugees from Myanmar.
This intricate web of historical claims, geopolitical tensions, and regional dynamics underscores the complexity of the issues facing northeastern states, making it a multifaceted challenge for policymakers and leaders.
