Trouble Brews in Assam Over illegal Immigrants

By Biswajyoti Das

Guwahati, Aug 11 : Thousands of students on Tuesday marched through the streets of Assam demanding resumption of work on the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The NRC is aimed at identifying millions of illegal settlers from neighboring countries, with locals fearing they would soon be outnumbered in their homeland by immigrants.

Many say the immigrants, mostly from Bangladesh, are posing a threat to the tradition, culture and identity of the indigenous people.

"The ruling Congress government is playing with the future of local people for the sake of its vote bank," said Manoj Baruah, leader of a powerful youth organization in Assam.

The students, shouting slogans and carrying placards, also demanded DNA testing to detect illegal settlers in the state.

Authorities initiated the NRC process last month but stopped after violent protests in which four people were killed.

Locals complain that illegal settlers are a deciding factor during elections in the region, occupy vast tracts of land and control the local economy.

"Indigenous people will soon become endangered in their own land. It is high time we raise united voice against it," said Dethang Naiding, a tribal leader in Assam.

India's revolt-racked northeast, made up of eight states surrounded by China, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, is home to more than 200 ethnic and tribal groups.

Tension between settlers and locals leads to violent clashes and armed groups fighting for freedom or more political autonomy in the region, often target these settlers.