The Hindu : Political parties urged to support repeal of IMDT Act

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Sunday, Aug 24, 2003

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Political parties urged to support repeal of IMDT Act

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI AUG. 23. Swaraj Mission, an association of lawyers, teachers and senior citizens from Assam, has urged political parties not to oppose the repeal of the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act and support the Illegal Migrants Laws (Repealing and Amending) Bill, 2003, placed in Parliament.

The Congress and the Left Parties had walked out from both the Houses of Parliament protesting against the introduction of the Bill.

"We have argued that the repeal of this controversial Act alone may not be sufficient if it is not accompanied by other measures. In this context, we have recommended the register of foreign nationals along with a national register of citizens,'' said the Swaraj Mission chairman, D. C. Mahanta.

Releasing a report on IMDT Act's effectiveness at a news conference here today, Mr. Mahanta said the Government had spent about Rs. 400 crores since the IMDT Act became operational and was able to detect 10,000 illegal migrants. Out of them, only 2,000 were deported.

However, even after the repeal of the IMDT Act, legal impediments will remain; these include sections 3 (1) and 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955. "We believe that unless amendments are made, the intended repeal of the Act alone will not solve the problem.''

Claiming to be apolitical, the Mission members are camping here to persuade all coalition parties in the National Democratic Alliance Government to support the repeal of the IMDT Act. "Not many parties would be aware of the intricacies of the Act and the reason why it must go in the interests of Assam, the Assamese and all other indigenous tribes,'' said Mr. Mahanta.

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