Guwahati: Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday (January 1) asserted that there would be no compromise on the interest of the indigenous Assamese at any cost due to the new Citizenship law.

"The government has given a suggestion to the Central government, which is in a process to frame the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act to incorporate state government's view so that interest of indigenous people remains protected," Sonowal told media.

Asserting that he is also the "son of this soil and will not compromise with the interest of indigenous people" at any cost, Sonowal said, "I would like to make an appeal to the people of my state to have trust in me. I am your son, and we are in power due to your blessings. We, son of the soil, are running this government since 2016 but never compromise with the interest of people. Please do not isolate me from you. Where will I go if you do so? Just wait and watch for some time, all false campaign will fall flat."

Making an emotional appeal to the people of the state, Sonowal reiterated that wrong narrative on the CAA by certain "destructive elements made Assam suffer violence and arson”.

"A section has misguided the people by claiming that the CAA will make 1.5 crore Hindus of Bangladesh eligible for citizenship. I know you will not believe me now, but the reality is that very few people already living in Assam for decades will get citizenship because of this Act. It will become clear when we publish the list after their applications are processed," he said.

He added that time would prove his commitment to the people of the state.

Assuring indigenous Assamese that they will not be affected due to the Act, the chief minister said, "My government will not take any step that goes against the indigenous Assamese people. There is no point in being the chief minister if I cannot protect the interests of the very people who elected us. Assam was, is and will be for the Assamese people and no force can threaten our language, culture and existence," he said.