Assamese Party Flags Detention of Genuine Citizens in Anti-Immigrant Drive

The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), a political party representing minority communities in Assam, has urged the state government to ensure that efforts to identify and deport illegal immigrants do not lead to the wrongful detention of genuine Indian citizens or their pushback into Bangladesh.

In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday, the AIUDF, led by Maulana Badruddin Ajmal, expressed concerns over reported instances where Indian citizens, particularly from the Muslim community, were allegedly detained or pushed across the border. The party cited the case of Sakina Khatun from Nalbari, an Assamese woman who was reportedly pushed into Bangladesh despite possessing citizenship documents, and had to be brought back by Indian authorities.

The memorandum stated: 'The AIUDF firmly supports strict legal action against illegal infiltrators and foreign nationals in accordance with the law. Detection, deportation, eviction, or any other lawful action against persons who are not Indian citizens should continue without hesitation.' However, it added that reports of genuine citizens being subjected to wrongful detention or pushback were deeply concerning.

The party called for proper verification of suspected foreigners and coordination with Bangladesh before any pushback operations. It also highlighted that pushbacks are often carried out at night, leaving individuals stranded on the no-man's land due to Bangladesh's reluctance to accept them.

Apart from the issue of illegal immigration, the AIUDF also raised concerns about eviction drives carried out by the state government over the past two years, which it said had displaced a large number of families. While acknowledging the government's authority to remove illegal encroachments in accordance with the law, the party urged that affected families be treated with dignity and provided with proper rehabilitation, including housing, education, and healthcare.

The memorandum further requested the government to review and repeal the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill passed by the Assam Assembly in May. The AIUDF argued that certain provisions of the law interfere with religious practices, personal laws, and customary traditions of Muslims, and that these concerns should be reconsidered in light of constitutional guarantees under Articles 25 and 26, which protect freedom of religion and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs. It also invoked Articles 29 and 30, which safeguard the cultural and educational rights of minorities.

The Assam government has not yet issued a response to the memorandum.