Assam Government Identifies Over 47,000 Foreigners

The Assam government has revealed that 47,928 individuals were declared foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunal between 1971 and 2014, with Muslims comprising 56.9% of this group and Hindus making up 43%. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma noted that the majority of these detections occurred in the Cachar district, where 10,152 individuals were identified as foreigners. The Assam Accord mandates the identification and deportation of foreigners who entered the state after March 25, 1971. Additionally, over 54,000 individuals known as 'D' voters have been declared foreigners, with only 26 deported since 2017. The government is closely monitoring the rising population of non-Assamese speakers, which is seen as a potential threat to indigenous communities. The demographic breakdown reflects tensions around citizenship and identity in Assam, particularly amidst the ongoing political discourse surrounding the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.