Assam’s New Aadhaar Rule Makes Verification Stricter, Govt Announces Measures To Combat Illegal Immigration

Assam government mandates new Aadhaar applicants to provide NRC application numbers in measure to combat illegal immigration and prevent doubtful citizens from obtaining Aadhaar cards.

File Photo of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

Source : PTI

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday that all new applicants for Aadhaar cards in the state will need to submit their National Register of Citizens (NRC) application receipt number (ARN). This new requirement is set to be enforced from October 1, with a detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) to be prepared for the process.

CM Himanta Sarma emphasised that the introduction of the ARN requirement aims to curb the influx of illegal foreigners and ensure stricter adherence to issuing Aadhaar cards. He stated, "Applications for Aadhaar cards are more than the population... It indicates that there are doubtful citizens and we have decided that new applicants will have to submit their NRC application receipt number (ARN)", as quoted by news agency PTI.

The Assam Chief Minister added, "It will not be easy to get Aadhaar in Assam and hopefully, other states will also be strict in issuing Aadhaar cards."

The ARN submission requirement will not apply to the 9.55 lakh individuals whose biometrics were locked during the NRC process, nor will it affect those in tea garden areas due to practical difficulties such as a lack of biometric machines. CM Himanta Sarma noted that four districts—Barpeta, Dhubri, Morigaon, and Nagaon—have reported more Aadhaar applications than their total projected populations, with Barpeta at 103.74 per cent, Dhubri at 103 per cent, and both Morigaon and Nagaon at 101 per cent.

"Aadhaar cards more than the population in Dhubri district were issued. Maybe some suspected people got Aadhaar cards. Assam Government will issue a notification in the next 10 days that if you don't apply for NRC you will not get Aadhaar card in the new process. This notification will not be implemented in tea garden areas. From October 1, except tea garden, adults in other districts will have to go through a strict process," he said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

Addressing concerns over illegal immigration, Sarma affirmed the state's commitment to intensify detection efforts. "The detection process of foreigners was almost stopped after the updation process of NRC. In the last few months, we have arrested or pushed back 20-30 Bangladeshis," he stated.

According to Sarma, the Centre has granted state governments the authority to decide on Aadhaar issuance. In Assam, new Aadhaar cards will be issued only after obtaining a no-objection certificate from the district commissioner. "Such certificates will be issued after minutely examining all aspects. If the applicant has the NRC ARN, it becomes clear that he was in the state before 2014," he explained.

Assam Govt Announces Measures To Combat Illegal Immigration

Sharing a government memorandum, CM Himanta Sarma highlighted the state's measures to combat illegal immigration, including enhanced surveillance, closer coordination with central agencies, and additional deployment of forces across border districts.

According to the memorandum issued by the Government of Assam's Political (B) Department, recent reports have pointed to a rise in illegal immigration through international borders, necessitating heightened vigilance. From January 2024 to date, Assam Police Border Organization has detected a total of 54 illegal immigrants, with significant numbers reported in districts like Karimganj and Bongaigaon. Of these, 45 individuals were pushed back, while nine were apprehended in Karimganj.

"In light of the increasing threat to national security posed by illegal immigrants, it is imperative to strengthen our detection and repatriation efforts," stated the memorandum. Key measures outlined include increased patrolling, strengthened coordination with agencies like the Border Security Force (BSF), and enhanced intelligence gathering along infiltration routes.

The measures include capturing Biometrics and Aadhaar Numbers of suspected infiltrators, "On identifying suspected individuals or families, their biometrics should be collected. If such individuals possess Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, Voter IDs, or passports, their numbers should be recorded for future reference."

The government directive also emphasises community engagement through awareness programs in border areas to encourage reporting of suspicious activities. Legal actions will be expedited through Foreigners Tribunals for identified cases.

We are intensifying efforts to remove illegal immigrants from Assam. The State Government is initiating a series of coordinated actions that include enhanced surveillance, closer coordination with central agencies, additional deployment of force among others. @HMOIndia pic.twitter.com/DozR1GwTqJ

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 7, 2024

Furthermore, the Assam Police Headquarters will assess and deploy additional forces as needed in vulnerable border districts. Border outposts will intensify checks to verify identification and documentation of individuals, with a focus on capturing biometrics and Aadhaar numbers where applicable.

The directive concludes with a call to enforce relevant provisions of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) strictly. Monthly progress reports on these initiatives will be submitted to ensure accountability and effectiveness in combating illegal immigration.

The Assam Chief Minister also stressed the need for village or field-level government functionaries to gather information on new and unknown persons. Upon receiving such information, an enumeration of suspected illegal immigrants will be conducted in consultation with Assam Police and district administration. Efforts will also be made to locate and apprehend individuals who have absconded after being declared foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunals.