Migrant list leaves Indian citizens stateless

in New Delhi ALMOST two million people face being left stateless in the northern Indian state of Assam after yesterday’s publication of a register aimed at weeding out “illegal migrants”.

The National Register of Citizens (NRC) – the culmination of a years-long effort in the border state – detailed 31.1million citizens, leaving off 1.9million people. Across Assam, residents queued to find out if they had made the cut, with reports of families in despair.

Critics say the scheme is an attempt to deport millions of minority Muslims, many of whom entered India from Bangladesh after the 1971 Independence War in the country.

Only those who can prove they or their forebears were in India before March 24, 1971 could be included, meaning many who have been in the state for generations face deportation.

Shahibul Haque Shikdar, a 39-yearold Muslim college teacher, was distraught after two of his children made it to the list but he was left out. He said: “Even my father’s name is there”.

Under the BJP’s policy, the NRC makes considerations for refugees, but specifically not for Muslims.

People who have been excluded now have 120 days to bring an appeal at Foreigners’ Tribunals.

Aakar Patel, the Head of Amnesty International India, said: “In many instances, people are facing detention and deportation largely because they do not have documents to show their parents or even grandparents were Indian citizens.