Sonowal visits Barak Valley post CAA, thanks people for their support

Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal visited Barak Valley on Wednesday, for the first time after Citizen Amendment Act was passed.

At the event, he spoke to the people of the valley, “Togetherness is the actual language of Assam. We are a family of 33 districts with so many different languages and cultures. We have the potential to become the best state in the country. We are in talks with more militant groups and they are willing to come back to regular life.”

While larger part of the state saw protests against CAA, Barak Valley has remained peaceful and comparatively silent on the issue.

Thanking the people of Barak Valley for the same, the CM said, “We have seen large protests against CAA in most part of the state, but people of Barak Valley understood value in the new law. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to this place assured that nobody will be deprived of citizenship. Post partition, large number of religious minorities in Bangladesh took shelter to this part of Assam. We are are committed to protect each and every one.”

“Even if there was protest, we successfully conducted the biggest sports event of the country, Khelo India with good hospitality. This shows our determination and strength as a state,” he added.

Sonowal was attending the 71st foundation day of village defence organisation, a concept unique to the state of Assam. It was formed in 1949, the VDO is a supporting force to police in rural parts.

It encourages village youths to defence and safeguard their own village. Sonowal announced that 23 thousand village defence party workers will get financial support from the government for their contribution. He also announced a inter district football competition for these young local police with a prize money of Rs three lakh.