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Jharkhand should probe infiltration issue along with Centre: Himanta

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma urged the central government and the Jharkhand government to investigate the rising issue of infiltration in Jharkhand. He emphasized the need to acknowledge the problem to find solutions and criticized the state government's reluctance to admit its existence.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma RANCHI: Assam CM and Jharkhand BJP’s co-in-charge for assembly polls, Himanta Biswa Sarma Sunday said the Centre and Jharkhand govt should immediately probe the problem of infiltration escalating in the state and find a way to curb it. He said the state govt should not remain in denial. “I can’t say all Muslims are infiltrators but let’s first accept the problem so that both state and Centre can collectively fight it.

Admission will lead to looking for a way to curb the problem. But the state govt is reluctant to admit. That is our biggest bone of contention with this govt,” Himanta told TOI in an exclusive interview.

He said the Centre, in its affidavit in Jharkhand HC recently, had informed that there is a growth of Muslim population between 1951 and now, which is beyond the normal trajectory. “Now, it is a matter of probe to know whether the growth is home-grown or a result of infiltration,” he said..