Answer: They would alter the demographic balance.
Assamese population was concerned that unless the illegal Bengali Muslim settlers were detected and deported, they would alter the demographic balance, potentially reducing the indigenous Assamese to a minority.
The significant influx of migrants into the North-Eastern region created a unique challenge, leading to conflicts between the 'local' communities and those perceived as 'outsiders' or newcomers, whether from within India or abroad. These newcomers were viewed as encroaching on limited resources such as land and potential competitors for employment opportunities and political influence. This issue manifested politically and, at times, violently in several North-Eastern states. The Assam Movement, spanning from 1979 to 1985, stands out as a prominent illustration of such movements against 'outsiders.' In this movement, the Assamese population harbored suspicions about the presence of a substantial number of illegal Bengali Muslim settlers from Bangladesh. They were concerned that unless these foreign nationals were identified and deported, they would alter the demographic balance, potentially reducing the indigenous Assamese to a minority. Additionally, economic issues were in play, including widespread poverty and unemployment in Assam, despite the presence of valuable natural resources like oil, tea, and coal. The perception was that these resources were being extracted from the state without providing proportionate benefits to the local population. |
