Guwahati: In a significant move aligned with the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019, the Assam government has directed police not to forward cases to the Foreigners Tribunal for non-Muslims who entered India before December 31, 2014. This directive provides major relief to Hindu Bangladeshi refugees and other non-Muslim communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
A letter issued by Partha Pratim Majumdar, Secretary to the Home and Political Department of Assam, to the Special Director General of Police (Border), outlines the new instructions. It specifies that people from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, or Christian communities who entered Assam before December 31, 2014, should not face prosecution as they are eligible for Indian citizenship under the CAA.
The directive recommends that such individuals apply for citizenship through the official citizenship application portal at https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in. The Government of India will determine the citizenship of these applicants based on the specifics of each case. A separate register will also be maintained for individuals falling under the specified categories.
However, the instructions make it clear that this exemption does not apply to individuals from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan who entered Assam after December 31, 2014. Such cases will continue to be referred directly to the Foreigners Tribunal for necessary action.
This directive indicates the Assam government’s readiness to welcome non-Muslim refugees who entered India before the specified date. The Home Department’s letter to the Assam Police paves the way for the state to assist these individuals in securing Indian citizenship under the CAA.
Despite the ongoing process of granting citizenship under the CAA across India, only eight Bangladeshi nationals have applied for Indian citizenship in Assam so far. The lack of necessary documents has complicated the process for many. However, the new directive is expected to simplify the situation for Hindu Bangladeshis and other non-Muslim refugees who have sought shelter in Assam.
The directive has led to expectations that there will be a surge in applications for Indian citizenship from non-Muslim communities in Assam through the Citizenship Amendment Act. The state government’s proactive stance is seen as a significant step toward resolving the long-standing issue of refugee status for non-Muslim communities in Assam.
This move by the Assam government is a clear indication of their commitment to implementing the CAA and addressing the concerns of non-Muslim refugees who have entered the state prior to the cut-off date.
