Assam's Chief Minister Emphasizes Strict Policy on Foreign Nationals

Assam's Stance on Foreign Nationals

Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam, has reiterated that the state government is committed to sending back foreign nationals, regardless of their inclusion in the National Register of Citizens (NRC). He expressed concerns about the credibility of the NRC, stating that it cannot solely determine an individual's citizenship. During an event in Darang, Sarma mentioned, "There are many individuals who have manipulated the system to get their names included in the NRC, which is why we have adopted a policy that allows us to deport anyone deemed a foreigner by the authorities." He added, "I personally do not believe that being listed in the NRC is sufficient to confirm that someone is not an illegal immigrant."

Allegations Against Activists

The Chief Minister accused social activist and author Harsh Mander of residing in Assam for two years, during which he allegedly encouraged local youth to pursue education abroad and manipulate the NRC. Sarma stated, "We were unaware of these conspiracies at the time. It was only after I became Chief Minister that I learned about these issues." He reported that 19 individuals were deported on Tuesday night, followed by nine more on Wednesday.

Concerns Over Citizenship

In recent weeks, numerous individuals in Assam have been detained due to doubts regarding their citizenship, with many being sent back to Bangladesh. Some of these individuals returned after being denied citizenship by the neighboring country.

Political Reactions

Congress MP Rakibul Hussain criticized the Chief Minister for allegedly instilling fear among the public by conflating the Foreigners Act with the Indian Citizenship Act. During a press conference, he condemned the Assam government's actions of sending legitimate Indian citizens back to Bangladesh, labeling it unconstitutional. Hussain emphasized that foreigners should be identified and deported according to the provisions of the Assam Accord, which was established in 1985 following a six-year-long anti-foreigner movement in the state. He remarked, "The Congress government had decided to implement the NRC based on the Assam Accord, with the Citizenship Act providing the legal framework. However, Chief Minister Sarma is now diverting attention from the real issues."

Nationwide Verification Campaign

Following the Pahalgam attack on April 22, a nationwide verification campaign was launched, which gained momentum after the 'Operation Sindoor' commenced on May 7. This initiative has led to the deportation of thousands of Bangladeshis, with many voluntarily returning to their home country. These illegal immigrants are transported by air force planes to border areas, where they are handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) and temporarily housed in camps. They receive food and, if necessary, some Bangladeshi currency before being "pushed back" into their country after a few hours.

Government's Stance on Illegal Immigration

In February of this year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that strict action should be taken against any networks facilitating the entry, documentation, and settlement of illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants in the country. He emphasized that the issue of illegal immigration is linked to national security and must be addressed rigorously, with a focus on identifying and deporting such individuals.