National

Centre's move on IMDT Act a gimmick: Gogoi

Guwahati May 10. The Assam Cabinet adopted a resolution opposing the Union Cabinet's approval to the repeal of the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act, even as the Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, today described the tabling of the Bill in Parliament for repeal as a ``political gimmick'' of the BJP-led NDA Government.

The resolution, adopted last night, pointed out that the Act was for providing security to Indian citizens.

Mr. Gogoi said here that his Congress Government had lodged a protest with the Centre for its move to scrap the Act.

``We want illegal foreigners to be detected through the judicial provisions provided in the IMDT and not by police following repeal of the Act,'' Mr. Gogoi said.

Pointing out that seeking the State Government's views was an absolute necessity prior to repealing the Act, he said ``I don't understand why they (Centre) did not consult me as Chief Minister of Assam where the IMDT is exclusively applicable''.

Stating that the last census figures showed Assam's population growth to be less than the national average, Mr. Gogoi said the figures did not prove that infiltration had increased necessitating repeal of the IMDT.

As the repeal issue was sub judice with a case pending before the Supreme Court, Mr. Gogoi said, the Bill should not have been tabled in Parliament.

— PTI

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