Assam to take AI help to study demographic pattern: CM Sarma

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 31, 2024

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said the Special Branch of Assam Police is utilise AI-based data to study demographic invasion comparing voter list from 2001 to 2024.

The project has been initiated to identify potential demographic shifts in the state.

Addressing a press conference after a cabinet meeting, Sarma said: “Our SB is undertaking a project. They are comparing the 2019 voter list with 2024. We are doing the religious break-up utilizing Artificial Intelligence. And we will come to know. You can do the exercise yourself also.”

Sarma said any TV studio can take up that job. What is the ratio of Hindus and Muslims in 2019 and what is in 2024. Because both voter lists are available in the public domain.

“I will be consigned to Assam only. I will not talk of other states of the country. My confidence is that in Assam the situation is not worse after BJP came to power. But to say all these things we need statistics, solid statistical data. We are comparing 2001 verses 2014 and 2014 verses 2024,” the chief minister said.

“I am sure that after BJP came to power at least Assam is no longer a safe haven for Bangladeshis. That much I can say. In Assam, we do not have a soft policy towards Bangladeshis. Assam’s situation should be better in comparison to Jharkhand and West Bengal. That is what my opinion,” he also said.

“You have all heard the statement of West Bengal chief minister Even that statement has not been endorsed by the Bangladesh government. When an elected chief minister says I am going to open my border, I am going to rehabilitate then you can see how much the situation is grieved. That statement itself goes to show the state of West Bengal is very very soft towards infiltration. And demography is fast changing in Bengal,” the chief minister said.

Sarma said the chief minister of West Bengal stated that I would give shelter to Bangladeshi nationals then which raised a question of how much we are committed against the infiltrators. This issue is real, this issue is serious I have in my own assessment seen the demographic invasion in Assam and I have seen that Jharkhand and West Bengal

“You do not have to wait for the census report. When I told that demography is changing in Assam, the Congress people started questioning me. They asked for proof. Somebody has told me that you just checked 2024 voter list and compared that with 2019 voter list. You will see the percentage of increase immediately,” he said.

“And today in the voter list in the computer software you can break up the religion. We are doing it. Of course, the voters list is not the citizen list. But it can give an idea of the increase in population growth. If the percentage is increased by 14 per cent that means the population is also increasing,” he further said.

I am always of the view that Rohingyas are utilizing the border situation of India and Bangladesh. Because the vast area is porous. In Assam, we are guarding but Assam is only a part of the Indo-Bangladesh border. Recently we have seen Tripura Police has also arrested a large number of Rohingyas. So Rohingya penetration to India has increased manifold. You will know that last year Assam Police also struck some touts and ultimately NIA took over the case. I think that the government of India must strengthen India’s border with Bangladesh, particularly in West Bengal.

 “2021 census when it will be conducted, I am sure that it will be going to give shocking news on demography in the Eastern India. I am very very sure about what I am saying that the situation is grieved and the situation is grave. The demographic invasion is real because of the appeasement policy we are not able to control it. Of course, Assam it is a different story. Because the people of Assam are very much aware of the demographic invasion but other Indian states are now suffering,” the chief minister said.

the chief minister added: “During the Assam Agitation, we had said that what Assam is suffering today, the entire country will suffer tomorrow. At that time, Congress did not give importance to our prediction. But today entire country is suffering. You can see what is happening iin Haryana, Delhi, Bangalore, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand. Many states are affected by the demographic invasion.