‘Himanta Sarma Issues Major Warning: No NRC Application Number, No Aadhaar’

Himanta Biswa Sarma declared that all cases of illegal immigrants must be promptly documented. A detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) will be prepared for this purpose, to be implemented from October 1.

The chief minister announced at a press conference that new Aadhaar card applicants would need to submit their NRC application receipt number (ARN), as there are more Aadhaar card applications than the population in some areas, indicating doubtful citizens. However, the submission of the ARN will not be required for the 9.55 lakh people whose biometrics were locked during the NRC process, as well as in tea garden areas where practical difficulties hinder the Aadhaar card issuance.

Sarma also highlighted four districts with more applications for Aadhaar cards than their total projected population: Barpeta, Dhubri, Morigaon, and Nagaon. He mentioned that the state government has the authority to decide whether an Aadhaar card can be issued to an individual.

In Assam, new Aadhaar cards will be issued only after a no objection certificate is given by the concerned district commissioner, with careful examination of all aspects. The chief minister addressed the escalation in the detection of illegal immigrants, emphasizing the need for intensified efforts to curb their movement and facilitate repatriation.

To bolster border security, Sarma outlined plans to strengthen surveillance, patrolling, and coordination with central agencies while enhancing intelligence-gathering mechanisms and community awareness programmes in border areas. He emphasized the importance of encouraging residents in border areas to report suspicious movements or new settlers and activating government functionaries to gather information on suspected illegal immigrants.

Sarma also revealed that since January 2024, 54 illegal immigrants have been detected, with 45 being repatriated to their country of origin.