Guwahati, Sept. 10 -- Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday mentioned that Hindu Bengalis in Assam have not applied for Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) because they are confident of their citizenship.

"There is no reason to suspect Hindu Bengalis as foreigners, as they have come before 1971. The CAA has no relevance in Assam," CM Sarma said.

The Chief Minister, quoting former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, said she had ensured the settlement of Hindu Bengalis in 1971 and never spoke about their deportation.

"The Hindu Bengalis are confident that they are Indians. So they did not apply under CAA. There have been only 12 applications so far, and only three persons have been granted citizenship," he s...