Face of Nation : Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister will be in Assam today, his first visit since the citizens’ list to identify illegal immigrants in the state was released. Over 19 lakh people were excluded from the National Register of Citizens or NRC. Assam, ahead of Mr Shah’s visit had once again been declared as a “Disturbed Area” for six months.
The Home Minister, during his visit will hold a meeting of the North Eastern Council or NEC and is likely to review the situation in the state after the publication of the NRC. Mr Shah is also reported to attend a meeting of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance tomorrow.
The NEC is the top advisory body for development in the northeast, and for facilitating effective coordination among the member states. This is also Amit Shah’s first visit to the northeastern state after becoming the Home Minister.
Earlier this year, Mr Shah, who had described illegal immigrants as “termites” had said earlier this year, while campaigning for the national election, that the party was committed to throw out infiltrators from across the country.
However, many BJP leaders have raised concerns over a large number of Bengali Hindus being left out of the NRC. Himanta Biswa Sarma, top BJP leader in Assam had made it clear that he didn’t think the NRC will be effective in removing illegal immigrants.
According to officials, most of those who haven’t produced adequate documents to prove their nationality will not be declared illegal immediately. They have the option of appealing to Foreigners’ Tribunals and subsequently approach the courts.
