Date:14/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/14/stories/2009011455700700.htm

National

30,603 foreigners absconding in Assam

Sushanta Talukdar

Gogoi moots the idea of issuing multipurpose identity cards

Exact number of foreigners in Assam not available
Opposition against issuing any identity card

Guwahati: A total of 30,603 foreigners detected by various tribunals in Assam between 1985 and 2008 are absconding.

This was revealed by the State government on the floor of the Assembly.

The absconding include 11,299 detected by the tribunals under the erstwhile Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act, 1983, between 1985 and July 19, 2005, and 19,304 under the Foreigners’ Act between 1986 and 2008. The government, however, informed the House that it did not have the exact number of foreigners staying in Assam.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday mooted the idea of issuing multipurpose identity cards to people till the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is updated.

The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Communist Party of India, however, rejected the proposal and insisted that such an identity card should not be issued till the NRC is updated.

Seeking the Opposition’s cooperation in detection and deportation of illegal Bangladeshi migrants, Mr. Gogoi proposed that since an update of the NRC would take some time, a multipurpose identity card be issued.

Clarification

He clarified that holders of the card would not be entitled to claim citizenship. Leader of the Opposition Chandra Mohan Patowary, while pledging the AGP’s full cooperation, urged the government not to issue any such card till the NRC is updated.

Mr. Drupad Borgohain of the CPI supported Mr. Patowary’s stand.

Team to visit Delhi

An all-party delegation, headed by Speaker Tanka Bahadur Rai, will go to New Delhi soon to put pressure on the Union government for immediate sealing of the India-Bangladesh border and removal of all obstacles posed by border disputes between the two countries.