Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has revealed that 1.2 lakh ‘D’ voters have been found throughout the state, with 41,583 of them having been proclaimed foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunals. This is a big development on the issue of illegal immigration in Assam. These ‘D’ (Doubtful) voters have been identified as foreigners, and their statement of such underscores the Assam government’s resolve to tackle the persistent problem of illegal immigration.
Who Are ‘D’ Voters?
‘D’ voters, or Doubtful voters, are individuals whose citizenship status is under question due to insufficient documentation proving their Indian nationality. The category of ‘D’ voters was introduced in Assam following the voter list revision in 1997, during which the Election Commission of India marked certain individuals as ‘D’ voters if their citizenship could not be verified. These individuals are barred from casting their votes until their citizenship status is confirmed by a Foreigners Tribunal.
The issue of ‘D’ voters has been a contentious one in Assam, a state that has witnessed waves of migration, particularly from neighboring Bangladesh. The identification of ‘D’ voters is part of the broader effort to update and maintain an accurate National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, a process aimed at distinguishing Indian citizens from illegal immigrants.
Himanta Biswa Sarma’s Announcement: Key Details
Speaking at a press conference, Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed that out of the 1.2 lakh ‘D’ voters identified, 41,583 have been declared foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunals. “We have taken significant steps to identify ‘D’ voters across the state. Out of these, 41,583 have been declared as foreigners after due process by the Foreigners Tribunals”, said Sarma.
The Chief Minister highlighted the Assam government’s determination to resolve the issue of illegal immigrants and secure the rights of genuine citizens. He emphasized that the identification and legal proceedings against ‘D’ voters would continue in a fair and transparent manner to ensure that the process respects the rights of all individuals.
Implications for Assam and Its Citizens
For Assam, a state that has struggled with illegal immigration for decades, Himanta Biswa Sarma’s declaration has major ramifications. A major milestone in the ongoing attempt to remedy this issue has been reached with the identification of a substantial number of ‘D’ voters and the subsequent declaration of a considerable portion as foreigners.
For many Assamese citizens, the presence of illegal immigrants is a matter of cultural, social, and economic concern. The announcement is likely to be welcomed by those who have long demanded stringent measures against illegal immigration to protect Assam’s demographic and cultural identity. However, it also raises concerns about the rights and treatment of those declared as foreigners, especially in the context of deportation and detention.
Legal and Human Rights Considerations
The declaration of 41,583 individuals as foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunals also brings to the forefront various legal and human rights issues. The Foreigners Tribunals, which operate under the Foreigners Act, 1946, have the authority to determine an individual’s citizenship status. However, the process has often been criticized for its lack of transparency and alleged bias.
Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the potential for wrongful declarations and the impact on those declared as foreigners, many of whom may have lived in Assam for decades without any ties to Bangladesh or other foreign countries. There are calls for greater oversight and a more humane approach to dealing with ‘D’ voters, especially considering the social and economic consequences faced by those affected.
The Assam government, under the leadership of Himanta Biswa Sarma, has reiterated its commitment to continuing the process of identifying ‘D’ voters and ensuring that all cases are reviewed fairly by the Foreigners Tribunals. The Chief Minister has called for cooperation from all stakeholders, including civil society and human rights organizations, to ensure a balanced approach that upholds the rule of law while protecting individual rights.
Moving forward, the government plans to enhance its efforts to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and work towards a comprehensive solution to the issue of illegal immigration in Assam. This includes ensuring that genuine Indian citizens are not wrongly categorized as ‘D’ voters and that those declared as foreigners are given due process under the law.
Assam’s identification of 1.2 lakh ‘D’ voters, of whom 41,583 have been deemed foreign nationals, represents a noteworthy advancement in the state’s continuing fight against illegal immigration. The emphasis remains on striking a balance between the protection of individual rights and the legal system, as well as on guaranteeing a just and equitable resolution to this intricate matter, as Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma continues to press for swift action.
