India rejects OIC statement on Assam’s ‘encroachment row’

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Nirendra Dev
Nearly 800 families occupying about 4,500 bighas of land in Assam's Darrang district were evicted as part of the BJP-run state government's drive against "illegal encroachments".

New Delhi: In response to a media query about a statement by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the unfortunate incident in the Indian State of Assam, the Official Spokesperson, Shri Arindam Bagchi, said: India has taken strong exception to a statement from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the internal matters of India vis-à-vis encroachment row in Assam and said the organisation should not allow its platform to be subverted by vested interests.

"India notes with utmost regret that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) once again chose to comment on matters internal to India by issuing a factually incorrect and misleading statement on the unfortunate incident in the Indian State of Assam," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in response to media queries.

He said: "Indian authorities have taken due legal action in this regard. It is reiterated that OIC has no locus standi in matters concerning India's internal affairs and it should not allow its platform to be subverted by vested interests." 

"The Government of India rejects all such unwarranted statements and hopes no such references are made in the future," the spokesperson said.

Nearly 800 families occupying about 4,500 bighas of land in Assam's Darrang district were evicted as part of the BJP-run state government's drive against "illegal encroachments". 

Two civilians were killed, and several police officers were injured during the drive. 

It may be mentioned that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had also tweeted: "Continuing our drive against illegal encroachments, I am happy and compliment district administration of Darrang and Assam police for having cleared about 4500 bighas, by evicting 800 households, demolishing 4 illegal religious structures."

On October 3, the OIC Secretariat, in a statement, criticised the eviction drive in Assam and alleged that it was part of a campaign against the Muslim community.

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