GUWAHATI, Oct 5 - Senior AGP leader PK Mahanta today said that the notification issued last month by the Centre allowing minority refugees from Bangladesh and Pakistan like Hindus and Sikhs, to stay in India even after expiry of their visas on humanitarian grounds, is an attempt by the BJP-led regime to play �vote-bank� politics.
Addressing the media here, Mahanta said that the notification is against the spirit and letter of the Assam Agitation and will not only put a huge burden on Assam, but is also a threat to national sovereignty.
�The notification has been issued with an eye on the vote bank. Union Minister VK Singh�s statement has made clear that other states will not have to share the burden of such people. It will pose a threat to the culture and identity of Assam,� said the former Chief Minister.
Mahanta added, �The notification is an attempt to create a division in the State on religious lines. Even under the UN convention, there is a provision for accepting only those who are victims of persecution as refugees. There is no convention of granting citizenship to such people.�
He said the BJP-led regime in New Delhi is attempting to negate the Assam Accord. In this regard, the Asom Andolan Sangrami Manch will hold a convention tomorrow at 10 am in the District Library auditorium here, where various organisations and individuals, who took part in the Assam Agitation, will deliberate on various issues.
