To shield youth, govt to set up ‘counter-radicalisation cell’: Assam Guv

Guwahati: Assam governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Friday told the assembly that the state will set up a dedicated ‘counter-radicalisation cell’ to protect vulnerable youths from extremist influences and promote constitutional values, social cohesion and national unity.In his customary address, Acharya stressed the govt’s focus on protecting “jati, mati and bheti (identity, land and homeland)”. “My govt remains committed to safeguarding the identity, land rights, security and constitutional interests of the people of Assam, particularly the tribal, indigenous and other protected communities. Building upon the decisive measures undertaken in recent years, the next five years will focus on further strengthening the legal and administrative framework for protection of indigenous rights and demographic security.”He said legislative and administrative measures would be strengthened to curb unlawful encroachment on indigenous land, organised cross-border cattle smuggling and other activities detrimental to social harmony and public order.Acharya said effective steps would be taken to implement the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, to “expedite the detection and push-back of illegal immigrants”.He welcomed West Bengal govt’s decision to hand over required land to the Centre for fencing along the Bangladesh border, saying it would expedite sealing uncovered stretches along the international boundary.He said efforts to curb infiltration had been constrained for years due to porous and unfenced stretches, particularly in parts of Bengal.