Border sealing, NRC update at full steam: CM

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

Guwahati, July 23: Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal on Saturday said the State and Central governments have taken strong measures to seal the India-Bangladesh border, adding that the intertiol border in Assam will be sealed in line with Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan.

Addressing a meeting at the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE)'s Simanta Cheta Mancha here, Sonowal said the government has taken steps to stop cross-border infiltration and illegal trade by sealing the intertiol border.

"The Central and the State governments have also decided to seal the 70 km of riverine border between the two countries in Dhubri, Mankachar and Karimganj districts by erecting electric barbed wire and use latest technology," he added.

Reiterating that it is important to secure the Assam border, Sonowal said the people of the State would be safe only if its borders are secure. Admitting that there is pressure from illegal infiltrators in the State, the Chief Minister further said that detection and deportation of every illegal migrant is imperative to secure the lives of genuine Indians.

The Chief Minister said both the Centre and the State are firmly committed to save the lives and properties of the people of Assam from any jehadi threat. "Many people have sacrificed their lives for protecting Assam's land and we can't let their sacrifices go to waste. We will have to protect our State's land by any means," he said, adding, "We will identify illegal settlers and deport them to their countries of origin."  

He further said, "The work is on in full swing to upgrade the tiol Register of Citizens (NRC), which will help in securing the lives of each legal Indian citizen in the country," he said, adding that the State government is committed to fulfill the aspirations of the people of the State.