Refugee problem gets complicated and Assam turns an epicentre

The illegal foreigners (often termed as migrants, asylum seekers, refugees or law-offenders) in India remains a pertinent issue for debate and discussion since the time of Independence, but the recent aggression shown by the government in New Delhi indicated that the ground situation had changed drastically.

- NAVA THAKURIA

Initial records suggest that our nation of a billion plus gives shelter to nearly 20 million undocumented immigrants from neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Nepal, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

However, the illegal entry of citizens from Pakistan and Bangladesh is usually accepted as a matter of serious security concern along with growing demographic changes and social unrest.

The dramatic change of situation took place after the Pahalgam terror attack in the Kashmir valley on 22 April, where 26 innocent civilians were brutally killed by the Islamists with suspected backing from Pakistan.

A massive wave of public outrages was observed across India demanding a decisive retaliation against the Pakistan government in Islamabad.

It followed an escalation of armed conflicts between the two neighbours and New Delhi launched Operation Sindoor targeting the terrorist hideouts inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and deep inside Pakistan on 7 May.

Now a bilateral understanding for cessation of armed conflicts is in place (since 10 May), but an enormous fury against Pakistan among the Indian people continues.

The Supreme Court of India also came out with strong observations against the illegal migrants taking shelter in the country.

While the SC on 4 February last criticized Assam government for its delay in deportation of declared foreign nationals (who were lodged in Matia detention centre of Goalpara locality that became operational in January 2023) the apex court on 8 May rejected a plea to stop the process of deportation involving illegal Rohingya Muslim migrants highlighting that the right to reside in the country is exclusive to its citizens.