Protest erupts against settlement of Bangladeshi Hindus in Assam; 30,000 deported so far

Protests have erupted once again in the Indian state of Assam over granting Indian citizenship to Hindu Bangladeshis, though the government has announced that some 30,000 ‘intruders’ have so far been deported in 32 years.

A large number of activists of the non-government organisation Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) staged a ‘dharna’ in front of district and circle administration offices on Monday in protest against the government’s decision to settle Hindu Bangladeshis in the state.

The KMSS is mobilising hundreds of its activists across the state to rally against the settlement of Hindu Bangladeshis when the Assam government at the ongoing budget session has informed the House that since 1985 till date some 29,712 migrants has been deported.

KMSS adviser Akhil Gogoi said his organisation would initiate agitation on a huge level across the state against the decision to settle Hindu Bangladeshis here.

Demanding cancellation of the new Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016, the KMSS sent a memorandum to the Prime Minister.

The organisation is carrying out protests in different places across the state and trying to make the public aware of the bill.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, introduced last year, is now under the scrutiny of a parliamentary committee.

After the amendment, this bill seeks to allow illegal migrants from certain minority communities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan eligible for Indian citizenship, he alleged.

“This is important because illegal migration is a major issue in Assam and fear have gripped the minds of indigenous people.”

“This concern led to the six-year-long Assam agitation, following which the Assam Accord was signed in 1985, but it is yet to be implemented in its entirety. The influx problem is still as serious an issue as it was years ago.”

In Assam, politically, every single party has been using the Bangladeshi Hindu influx issue to further their political goals, although there are no official figures on illegal migrants as several governments give different numbers.

In Narendra Modi's government, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju informed the Rajya Sabha last November that there are nearly two crores illegal Bangladeshis in India.

A former minister in the previous UPA government, Sriprakash Jaiswal had told the Upper House that out of the 1.2 crores illegal Bangladeshis, nearly 50 lakh Bangladeshi stay in Assam.

On the other hand, in 2015 only one Bangladeshi migrant was deported from the state.

Guwahati High Court's senior Advocate Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury said only a flawless National Register of Citizens (NRC) could solve the problem of illegal migration.

“But, government officials must perform their duties sincerely. They will have to stop considering every Muslim as a Bangladeshi and stop harassing them,” he added.

“People are hopeful that the NRC, which is being updated under the supervision of the Supreme Court will include the names of only Indian citizens in the final NRC.”

However, questions are being raised at the Assam government for the inordinate delay in updating the NRC.

Assam parliamentary affairs minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said that work of updating the NRC is updating very carefully. At the same time, utmost attention is being paid to ensure that not a single name of Indian citizens remain unincluded.

According to the minister, out of the total six phases, work on two phases has been completed so far.

Meanwhile, several members raised questions in the Assam Assembly regarding the incomplete work of barbed wire fencing construction in 71.41 km area adjoining Indo-Bangladesh border.

On the other hand, a large section of people has been angered by the government's decision to settle Hindu Bangladeshis.