It is done by western neighbour with support of northern neighbour: Army Chief

Comparing the growth of the Jana Sangh (the predecessor of the BJP) and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF, a local Assam political outfit), Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat on Wednesday said the latter’s sudden popularity was due to the population inversion that has taken place in the northeast. Gen. Rawat was discussing issues surrounding migration to the northeast.

“When we talk of the Jana Sangh with two MPs in Parliament and where they have reached, the AIUDF is moving at a much faster pace in the state of Assam,” Gen. Rawat said speaking at a joint seminar organised by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies and Integrated Defence Staff.

Talking of the population dynamics of the northeast, Gen. Rawat said “inversion has taken place” and it cannot be changed.

Discussing illegal immigration from Bangladesh into India, Gen. Rawat said it was being done in a planned manner by the western neighbour with support from the northern neighbour.

Two reasons

“Migration from Bangladesh is due to two reasons. One is they are running out of space. Large areas get flooded during the monsoon and they have constricted area to stay. The other issue is planned immigration, which is taking place because of our western neighbour. They will always try and ensure that this area is taken over. It is the proxy dimension of warfare,” he said.

Stating that to this kind of migration would continue to keep this area disturbed, he said: “This proxy game is being played very well by our western neighbour supported also by our northern neighbour.”

He said it was important to amalgamate all the people living there and then identify the troublemakers. “Development is the main issue,” he added.