No one will be allowed to distort Assam’s map: Sonowal

Guwahati, Oct 21 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday reiterated his government's position that the map of the state will not be allowed to be distorted at any cost and that the territorial integrity of the state will be protected.

While speaking at a public meeting in Sonari of Charaideo district on Saturday, Sonowal said the newly-carved Charaideo district was very much on the government's priority list and that the state government had been taking a series of steps for its infrastructural development.

Sonowal's statement assumes significance considering the fact that several civil society groups have been expressing their apprehension over the framework agreement between the government of India and the NSCN (IM).

Some NSCN (IM) leaders have on record stated that the framework agreement signed last year accepted integration of all Naga-inhabited areas.

Sonowal further said updation process of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) was being carried out in the state as per the direction of the Supreme Court of India.

"However, certain forces are trying to create confusion and fear psychosis among the people. Government will ensure that all genuine citizens are included in the NRC and there is no need to worry about," he said.

Underscoring his government's four-point objective of making the state free from the scourge of pollution, corruption, terrorism and immigration, Sonowal said his government's operation against corruption would continue full throttle to provide dignified life to the people of the state.

He also called for concerted efforts from the people at large as well as the four pillars of democracy towards the government's bid to make Assam free from corruption.

Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on transforming the North East as the new growth engine of the country, Chief Minister Sonowal said his government had been working resolutely to reap rich dividends from the Act East Policy.

He also said that for the development of skilled human resources, the state government would set up skill development centres in every village of the state.