September 7th 2024.
In a recent announcement, Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that all new applicants for Aadhaar cards in the state are required to submit their NRC application receipt number. This decision aims to curb the influx of illegal foreigners and ensure strict measures in the issuance of Aadhaar cards. The implementation of this rule will begin from October 1 and a detailed standard operating procedure will be prepared for the same.
During a press conference in Guwahati, the chief minister emphasized the importance of submitting the NRC application receipt number while applying for an Aadhaar card. He stated that this move would help identify doubtful citizens and prevent the issuance of Aadhaar cards to illegal immigrants. Sarma also mentioned that the number of applications for Aadhaar cards in the state is more than its population, indicating the need for such strict measures.
However, the submission of ARN will not be applicable to the 9.55 lakh people whose biometrics were locked during the NRC process. They will be able to obtain their Aadhaar cards without submitting the NRC application receipt number. Additionally, this rule will not apply to the tea garden areas, where many individuals have not received their Aadhaar cards due to practical difficulties.
The chief minister highlighted that four districts in Assam have reported more applications for Aadhaar cards than their projected population. These districts are Barpeta, Dhubri, Morigaon, and Nagaon. He also mentioned that the central government has given the authority to state governments to decide on the issuance of Aadhaar cards to individuals.
In Assam, the government has decided to issue Aadhaar cards to new applicants only after a no objection certificate is obtained from the concerned district commissioner. This certificate will be granted after thorough examination, and if the applicant possesses an NRC ARN, it will prove their presence in the state before 2014. The chief minister also emphasized the need to intensify efforts in identifying and deporting illegal immigrants.
To achieve this, Sarma announced plans to strengthen border surveillance and patrolling, establish stronger coordination with central agencies, and enhance intelligence-gathering mechanisms. He also stated that community awareness programs will be conducted in border areas to encourage residents to report any suspicious activities or new settlers. The government will also work closely with the Foreigners Tribunals to promptly document and adjudicate all cases of illegal immigrants, while conducting periodic verifications to prevent them from evading detection.
The chief minister also announced the activation of village or field-level government functionaries to gather information on new and unknown individuals. In case of suspicion, an enumeration of suspected illegal immigrants will be conducted in consultation with the police and district administration. Additionally, efforts will be made to locate and apprehend individuals who have been declared foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunals.
In conclusion, Sarma stated that the biometrics of suspected individuals or families will be collected, and their personal identification numbers such as Aadhaar, PAN, Voter IDs, or passports will be recorded for future reference. This rule will be applicable from January 2024 onwards, and as of now, 54 illegal immigrants have been detected and dealt with accordingly. This decision aims to proactively curb the movement of illegal migrants and ensure enhanced border security in Assam.
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