Assam BJP calls for economic boycott of 'Bangladeshis'

Guwahati, Aug 9 (UNI) The Assam BJP today called for an economic boycott of all suspected Bangladeshis in the state and emulate the boycott of foreign products during the Freedom struggle to save the state from going into the grips of ''Islamic fundamentalist forces''.

Addressing a press meet here, state BJP president Ramen Deka said, '' We have to boycott the Bangladeshis, even if it means stagnation of the economy for some time. Else, we will lose our state at the hands of these infiltrators. '' Recalling the boycott of foreign goods during the Independence movement, he said such a model should be emulated in the state with equal vigour.

Referring to the growing Muslim population in the state, the BJP leader pointed out that the Hindu population in the state had come down from 72.51 per cent in 1971 to 64.9 per cent in 2001 census.

Moreover, from having a single district with Muslim majority in 1971, six districts are now with Muslim majority, he added.

Mr Deka also quoted extracts from former Pakistan Prime Minister late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's book 'Myths of Independence' and Bangladeshi leader late Sheikh Muzibur Rahman's 'Eastern Pakistan its Population and Economics' to highlight how Pakistan always had its eyes on Assam.

He also alleged that a section of All Assam Muslim Students' Union and Asom United Democratic Front leadership were spreading the propaganda for annexing Assam to Bangladesh.

Mr Deka demanded erection of barbed fence along the Indo-Bangladeshi border immediately, formation of a special task force for border security and making provisions for verification of citizenship credentials at all police stations.

UNI