After making scathing statements like ‘I will not let the state become the land of Miyan Muslims’ in the Assam Assembly, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched a new attack. On Wednesday, he said that kidney diseases are increasing in the state in the last four years due to the people doing fish farming in Nagaon and Morigaon. He alleged that urea is being used in productive fish farming in these two districts. Migrant Muslims dominate the fish industry in Nagaon and Morigaon, who are called Assamese Miyan Muslims. Sarma advised the people of Assam not to buy fish from these people.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said that there are many organic ways to increase fish production. If they continue to adopt shortcuts for fish production, it will not work. Although CM Sarma did not directly name any religion or caste, his statement is being seen as a response against “Miya Muslims” in Assam.
Immigrant Muslims in Nagaon and Morigaon occupation
The term “Miyan” is used in Assam for immigrant Muslims of Bangladeshi origin. Their population dominates the fishing industry in Nagaon and Morigaon. Sarma made this comment in the wake of tension caused by the gang rape of a class 10 student by three youths of the minority community in Nagaon on August 22.
In the four districts, several organisations are asking migrant Muslims to leave the area. This has cut off fish supply to Upper Assam. “I have told the people of Upper Assam that it is good if they do not send fish to Nagaon and Morigaon. Take advantage of this opportunity and capture the market, not by fighting, but by producing fish for the better health of the people,” Sarma said.
He said fish is an integral part of the diet and culture of people in Assam. The state has a demand of about 40000 metric tonnes of fish every month. Morigaon, Nagaon and Cachar are the top fish producers in the state. Assam procures fish from other states including Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar.