CM clarifies on visa row

State BJP demanded that if Tarun Gogoi has the proof in his hands, he must furnish the documents within 24 hours. The State BJP alleged that the Chief Minister is misleading the people of the State on the visa issue

GUWAHATI, June 23: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi om Monday said that he has not compromised with ‘national security’ by divulging the BJP–led NDA Government’s proposal to grant visa–free entry to Bangladesh nationals under the age of 18 years and over the age of 65 years.

Reacting to media reports, Chief Minister Gogoi said that the Government of Assam strongly opposed the proposal on the ground that illegal migration from Bangladesh was a very sensitive issue for Assam and other Northeastern States and that visa–free entry would have repercussions in terms of negative public reactions. The proposal for visa–free entry was made during an inter–ministerial meeting of the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi on June 11 last.

Gogoi said that he cannot maintain stoic silence on such a sensitive issue and that he would be failing in his duty if he does not let the people of the State know about it. “The people of the State have the right to know on such a sensitive issue. I would be failing in my duty if I do not place the matter before them,” he said, adding that some are bent on diluting the issue for vested interests.

The Chief Minister said that he disclosed the issue not with a view to gain political mileage but to put matters straight before the people. “Sarbananda Sonowal may label my disclosure as political gimmick. What I have disclosed is based on record. Why such a sensitive issue concerning the people of Assam be put under a veil of secrecy? The BJP has taken a complete U–turn on the influx issue,” he added. This was stated in a press release.

OUR STAFF REPORTER ADDS: Reacting to Tarun Gogoi’s clarification, the Assam BJP on Monday said no formal letter on visa issue was given to the Assam Chief Minister by the Central government and what Gogoi got are the minutes of the meeting on this issue held by the Centre. The State BJP also demanded that if Gogoi has the proof, he must furnish it within 24 hours. The State BJP alleged that the Chief Minister is misleading the people of the State on the visa issue.

(Source) The Sentinel Assam — The Largest Media group of North-East India — focused on news publishing. Combined circulation of the group is over 120,000 newspapers per day, making it the largest newspaper group in the region. The Sentinel is the only English daily in the Northeast India with five editions published simultaneously from Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Shillong, Silchar and Itanagar. For all local, news from Assam, national and international news please visit http://www.sentinelassam.com/