**Assam to Expedite Deportation of Illegal Immigrants Using 1950 Law**
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday that the state will streamline the process of identifying and deporting illegal immigrants by invoking a 1950 law, reducing reliance on Foreigners Tribunals (FTs). Speaking to reporters in Nalbari district, Sarma revealed that the state government intends to utilize the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Order, 1950, which grants district commissioners the authority to issue immediate expulsion orders.
During a recent Supreme Court hearing regarding Clause 6A, the Chief Minister noted that the court indicated Assam does not always need to rely on judicial processes to identify and deport foreigners. “There is an existing law — the Immigrants Expulsion Order — which allows district authorities to take direct action. We were previously unaware of this, as it had not been highlighted by our legal team. However, we will now implement it,” Sarma stated.
The Chief Minister emphasized that while there have been instances of pushbacks, the state had refrained from acting in cases pending in court. “The numbers of illegal immigrants are increasing, and they will continue to rise if we do not take action. From now on, when someone is identified as a foreigner and their case is not in court, we will not hesitate to push them back, and if necessary, we will do so repeatedly,” he asserted.
Sarma acknowledged that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise had hindered the state’s efforts to identify and deport undocumented migrants. With the Supreme Court’s recent observations and the rediscovery of the 1950 order, the government is preparing to intensify its crackdown on illegal immigration.
Currently, Assam operates 100 Foreigners Tribunals, established in 2005, to adjudicate the citizenship status of individuals flagged by the Assam Police’s Border Wing. These tribunals have been the primary mechanism for determining the citizenship of those suspected of being Bangladeshi nationals residing illegally in the state. The Chief Minister clarified that the new approach will not interfere with ongoing legal proceedings but will apply to cases where no judicial process is currently underway.
In summary, Assam’s government is poised to take decisive action against illegal immigration by leveraging existing laws, aiming to enhance the efficiency of the deportation process while ensuring that legal rights are respected.
**FAQ**
**Q: What is the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Order, 1950?**
A: The Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Order, 1950, is a legal framework that empowers district authorities in Assam to expel illegal immigrants without needing to go through the judiciary, streamlining the deportation process.