Assam Accord Implementation: Altogether 381 foreigners expelled during 7 years of BJP rule

The Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in Assam with the poll promise to implement the Assam Accord in letter and spirit. During the past seven years and four months of BJP-led coalition government’s rule in the state only 381 foreigners have been expelled as against 2595 foreigners expelled during 15 years of Congress-led coalition government rule. Foreigners Tribunals have declared altogether 1,31,849 as foreigners over the past 23 years while 3,100 foreigners have been expelled.

Data tabled by the State Government on the floor of the Assam Assembly reveals that only 121 foreigners have been expelled over the past two years and four months. Incumbent chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma assumed office on May 10, 2021. Altogether 260 foreigners were expelled during the previous BJP-led coalition government headed by Sarbananda Sonowal from 2016 to 2021 .

The Asom Gana Parishad, which was formed by signatories of the Assam Accord, and was in power for two terms, is a constituent of the incumbent BJP-led coalition government. The regional party was also a constituent of the previous BJP-led coalition government headed by Sarbananda Sonowal.

In accordance with Clause 5.8 of the Asam Accord, foreigners who came to Assam on or after March 25, 1971, shall continue to be detected, their names are to be deleted from electoral rolls, and they are to be expelled in accordance with law. It also states that immediate and practical steps shall be taken to expel such foreigners.

The accord states that the foreigners who came to Assam after 1.1.1966 (inclusive) and up to 24th March, 1971 shall be detected in accordance with the provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946 and the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order 1964. Names of Foreigners so detected will be deleted from the electoral rolls in force. Such persons will be required to register themselves before the Registration Officers of the respective districts in accordance with the provisions of the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939 and the Registration of Foreigners Rules, 1939. On the expiry of a period of ten year following the date of detection, the names of all such persons which have been deleted from the electoral rolls shall be restored.

The chief minister Sarma also informed the House, in reply to a question raised by Raijor Dal legislator Akhil Gogoi, that in accordance with data from Election Department, names of 8906 persons have been deleted from electoral rolls in the state from 2001 till 2023.

NEZINE Bureau