Alien-free NRC can save Accord’s soul: AGP president Atul Bora

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Aug 6: State Agriculture Minister and AGP president Atul Bora have said that only a foreigner-free NRC can save the soul of the Assam Accord, but this is not allowed to happen by four ‘evil spirits’ which keep haunting the historic Accord.

Addressing the media in Guwahati on Monday, Bora said: “Though the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016; the Foreigners (Amendment) Order, 2015 and the Migration Amendment (Investor Visas) Regulation, 2015 the government at the Centre is trying to give Indian citizenship to infiltrators on the ground that they have left their countries due to religious persecution. This apart, under the Migration Amendment (Investor Visas) Regulation, 2015 the Centre is trying to issue long-term visas to Bangladeshis to India. These four evil spirits (issues) are out to spell doom for the Assam Accord, besides pushing the people of the State towards uncertainty. They are stumbling blocks for the NRC as well. They need to be cancelled immediately. If these four evil spirits are not exorcised Assam will continue to be a haven for illegal foreigners.”

Bora said: “A team of the AGP led by party working president Keshab Mahanta submitted a memorandum to State NRC Coordinator Prateek Hajela on Monday with the plea to ensure a foreigner-free NRC that shouldn’t exclude the name of any genuine Indian citizen residing in Assam. All foreigners entering Assam after March 24, 1971 must leave the State. We’re going to progress with three Ds (detection, deletion and deportation) of foreigners.”