Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: THE Assam Cabinet on September 9 approved a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) under the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, to enable district authorities to identify and expel illegal migrants from the state, marking a significant step in the Government’s effort to address concerns over unchecked immigration.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “The SOP empowers District Commissioners (DCs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to act on credible information about suspected illegal immigrants. Under the new framework, a suspected person will be asked to submit evidence of Indian citizenship within 10 days. If the documents are deemed insufficient, the DC must issue a written order declaring the individual an illegal immigrant, supported by reasons and findings.”
“Once identified, the DC will issue an expulsion order under Section 2(a) of the 1950 Act, giving the individual 24 hours to leave Assam through a specified route. In cases where persons have already been declared foreigners by Foreigners’ Tribunals (DFNs), the DC will directly issue expulsion orders, as such individuals are understood to have exhausted all legal remedies,” he added.