Millions in India to lose citizen status

India on Monday effectively stripped four million people in Assam of citizenship, sparking fears of mass deportations of Muslims from the northeastern state.

A new draft register of citizens includes only those able to prove they were in Assam before 1971 – when millions fled Bangladesh’s war of independence into the state – and their descendants.

Critics say it is the latest move by the right-wing government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bolster India’s Hindu majority at the expense of minorities.

India will hold a national election next year.

The Assam government has brought in 25,000 extra security force members from outside the state in case of trouble.

News of the draft register sparked opposition protests in the national parliament, forcing the adjournment of upperc-hamber hearings for the day.

Just over four million of the more than 30 million people who applied to be on the list were excluded from the draft, Shailesh, the registrar general of India – who uses one name – said.

“No genuine Indian citizens need to worry as there will be ample opportunities given to them to enlist their names in the final list,” he told a news conference in Assam's biggest city, Guwahati.

He said appeals could be made under well laid-down procedures starting on August 30. The definitive list is to be finalised in December.

“We are going to provide assistance to anyone whose names are not included in the document and whoever wishes to file a claim and objection in this regard,” Shailesh said.