Assam Detention of Illegal Immigrants Raised in Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI: Detention of illegal immigrants in Assam was one of the key issues raised by members on Friday in Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh urged the government to carry out a systematic survey of illegal foreigners incarcerated in detention centres and provide legal services in case they have completed three years as law provides for them. Sharing his experience after visiting one of the detention centres in Silchar, Assam, the veteran leader said that the centre had 72 foreigners.

“Out of these 72 foreigners, seven were from Myanmar, 17 from Bangladesh and 48 claimed to be Indian citizens. Out of 48 who claimed to be Indian citizens, many of them have been State government employees,” Ramesh said.

“Sir, it is heart-rending to see all the people and very young children in these detention centres for no fault of their own,” the Congress leader said in the Upper House.

He quoted the reply of Home Minister Amit Shah in Lok Sabha saying there are six detention centres for foreigners in Assam and 988 foreigners are detained in these detention centres.

“I am not pleading the case of illegal migrants. I am pleading the case for those who are claiming to be Indian citizens who because of the fact that they did not have the proper documents because they moved from place to place in search of jobs they find themselves in jails,” Ramesh said.

He emphasised that this is a humanitarian issue and not a political one urging the government to treat the issue in the most sensitive manner. (IANS)

Also Read: Deaths in Assam Detention Centres

Also Watch: All Assam Fair Price Shop Dealer's Association staged protest in Guwahati’s Last Gate