Assam, Manipur adopt stricter scrutiny for Aadhaar to check settlement of 'illegal migrants'

Guwahati: The BJP-led governments in Assam and Manipur have started stricter scrutiny for enrollment of new Aadhar cards with a target to check settlement of "illegal migrants" from neighbouring Bangladesh and Myanmar, respectively.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on June 28 said the state was considering to come up with a law for the state to give powers to the deputy commissioners for stricter scrutiny of applications submitted by adults seeking Aadhar cards. "By and large the Aadhar enrollment has been completed in Assam and now only minors are required to be enrolled. For the adults seeking fresh enrollment, the DCs will do proper scrutiny before forwarding the same for enrollment. This will help us check misuse of the Aadhar by illegal migrants from Bangladesh," Sarma said.

When pointed out that Aadhar is not an identity document, Sarma told reporters that there is possibility of misuse of the Aadhar by illegal migrants to get enrollment in voters lists in states outside Northeast.

Drive amid deportations:

The move came amid deportation and push back of several "illegal migrants" to Bangladesh through the border and a fresh drive for detection of illegal migrants.

Like elections in the past, the vexed issue of illegal migration is gradually taking the centre stage of politics in the run up to Assembly elections slated early next year.

Rigorous scrutiny in Manipur:

Similarly, Manipur government also started "rigorous scrutiny" of applications seeking new Aadhar enrollment with a target to prevent "illegal migrants" from Myanmar getting the document. "The high-quality checks and scrutiny process ensures that no illegal foreigners are able to obtain the Aadhar," Manipur Home Commissioner-cum-Secretary Ashok Kumar said in a statement on July 1.

The home department has also implemented two mandatory updates for biometric and biographic data, once for those aged between five and seven and again after reaching 15. "This is being done to maintain security and integrity of the Aadhar ecosystem. These processes ensure that Aadhar holder's information remains current and secure, preventing misuse of identity," it said.

The drive has been initiated amid the conflict involving the Meitei and Kuki communities and growing demand by the Meiteis for implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to detect illegal migrants. The Meiteis claim that a large number of illegal migrants belonging to Kuki-Zo communities from Myanmar settled in Manipur, posing a threat to Manipur's demography and identity of the indigenous communities.

Manipur has remained under the President's Rule since February, following resignation of N. Biren Singh as CM, following the conflict.

Lauding the drive for stricter scrutity, Singh on July 2 said such a drive are critical to safeguard "our integrity and identity."

"There have been cases where individuals, who are not citizens of Manipur, managed to reside in the state using questionable documents." he said.