In a bold move aimed at controlling illegal immigration, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that from October 1, 2024, all new Aadhaar applicants in the state must submit their National Register of Citizens (NRC) application receipt number (ARN). He explained that This step is necessary to prevent illegal foreigners from obtaining Aadhaar cards and maintain the integrity of Assam's population records. A detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is being developed to ensure smooth implementation.
The decision comes after reports revealed that several districts in Assam, such as Barpeta, Dhubri, Morigaon, and Nagaon, had more Aadhaar applications than their actual population. Sarma expressed concern that this discrepancy indicates the presence of doubtful citizens. With the new rule, only individuals with an NRC ARN will be allowed to apply for Aadhaar, ensuring that applicants were present in the state before 2014.
There are, however, some exceptions. Due to practical challenges, the 9.55 lakh individuals whose biometrics were locked during the NRC process and those in Assam's tea garden areas will not need to provide their ARN. Additionally, Aadhaar cards will only be issued after district commissioners provide a no-objection certificate, ensuring thorough background checks.
This move is part of the government's broader strategy to curb illegal immigration in Assam. Sarma emphasized the need for stronger border security, increased intelligence efforts, and closer collaboration with central agencies like the Border Security Force (BSF). Community awareness programs and local vigilance will also be key in detecting illegal immigrants.
Since January 2024, Assam authorities have identified 54 illegal immigrants, with many already handed over to their countries of origin. The state government is determined to continue its efforts to identify, apprehend, and repatriate illegal foreigners, ensuring that Aadhaar and other critical documents are only issued to legal residents.
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