As many as 39 people from Assam have sought Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).
GUWAHATI: As many as 39 people from Assam have sought Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), out of whom two have obtained it, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary told the state assembly on Monday.
Replying on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also holds the Home portfolio, Patowary said 18 applications are pending, and 19 have been closed. But he made it clear that applicants whose cases were closed can reapply under the law.
Patowary, in the course of the discussion, also touched on the issue of infiltration from Bangladesh, saying that security along the borders continues to be a concern even with the recurring issues.
Congress MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, a current supporter of the BJP-aligned state government, asked why efforts at illegal infiltration remain unabated despite tough security.
Congress legislator Jakir Hussain Sikdar also expressed fears over potential loopholes in border security and whether government officers were involved in facilitating illegal immigrants.
Patowary categorically denied any government role in infiltration activities. He disclosed that during 2021-2024, a total of 156 Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended while trying to infiltrate Assam illegally. The numbers of arrests year-wise were:
• 51 in 2021
• 57 in 2022
• 22 in 2023
• 26 in 2024
Speaking about security measures along the borders, Patowary reaffirmed the presence of barbed wire fencing along the Bangladesh border, with the Border Security Force (BSF) acting as the first line of defense and Assam Police acting as a second line of defense.
But he admitted to some geographical issues, especially in riverine belts like Sribhumi district, where it is not easy to fence. The government, he assured, is actively looking into scientific means to fortify these vulnerable border areas.
On a different note, Patowary gave an update regarding Aadhaar registration in Assam, saying that up to January 2025, the state had a saturation level of 96.97%. He ensured the assembly that Aadhaar registration centers were available in all districts, and the process continued.
The controversy in the Assam Assembly brought to the forefront three key concerns—the enforcement of the CAA, border security, and unauthorized infiltration.
ALGUWAHATI: As many as 39 people from Assam have sought Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), out of whom two have obtained it, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary told the state assembly on Monday.
Replying on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also holds the Home portfolio, Patowary said 18 applications are pending, and 19 have been closed. But he made it clear that applicants whose cases were closed can reapply under the law.
Patowary, in the course of the discussion, also touched on the issue of infiltration from Bangladesh, saying that security along the borders continues to be a concern even with the recurring issues. Congress MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, being a current supporter of the BJP-aligned state government, asked why efforts at illegal infiltration remain unabated despite tough security. Congress legislator Jakir Hussain Sikdar also expressed fears over potential loopholes in border security and if government officers were involved in facilitating illegal immigrants.
Patowary categorically denied any government role in infiltration activities. He disclosed that during 2021-2024, a total of 156 Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended while trying to infiltrate Assam illegally. The numbers of arrests year-wise were:
• 51 in 2021
• 57 in 2022
• 22 in 2023
• 26 in 2024
Speaking about security measures along the borders, Patowary reaffirmed the presence of barbed wire fencing along the Bangladesh border, with the Border Security Force (BSF) acting as the first line of defense and Assam Police acting as a second line of defense.
But he admitted to some geographical issues, especially in riverine belts like Sribhumi district, where it is not easy to fence. The government, he assured, is actively looking into scientific means to fortify these vulnerable border areas.
On a different note, Patowary gave an update regarding Aadhaar registration in Assam, saying that up to January 2025, the state had a saturation level of 96.97%. He ensured the assembly that Aadhaar registration centers are available in all districts, and the process continues.
The controversy in the Assam Assembly brought to the forefront three key concerns—the enforcement of the CAA, border security, and unauthorized infiltration. Despite some advancement, there are difficulties in enforcement and security management.
