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Letter from the Editor-in-Chief
Dear friends,
October 2012
The Assam Agitation against illegal immigrants from Bangladesh has resurfaced and is the hotly debated subject of the region. The Assam Agitation was started in 1979, and was perhaps one of its kinds after Independence, which was truly a mass movement. In spite of its long continuation it had remain peaceful. The leadership of the agitation was unique.
The first phase of Assam Agitation did not get what they deserved - a full proof mechanism to stop the further infiltration to Assam and deportation of illegal immigrants back to their homes. What they got was Assam Accord. It was a partial redressal of the grievances of the people of Assam. The recent development in the Bodo Territorial Council (BTC) of Assam brought into the light the fact that the presence of immigrants have added pressure on the land and threat to the security of the people. The immediate fall out of BTC turmoil is the birth of the second phase of the Assam Agitation.
It is a fact that the conflict between natives and immigrants takes place when the locals find that the economic opportunity is being taken away from them. Reversely if the immigrants bring along with them new technology and cheap labour, they are rather welcomed.
This is what is disturbing the region. The illegal immigrants are the cheap labourers for construction, agriculture and industry, which otherwise are not available as needed. The net result of these actions are that in many districts of Assam, immigrants, particularly Bangladeshi Muslims are in majority. A real cause of worry!
The fact that deportation of over estimated 5 million people is not possible. Also, most of them are having legal documents like ration card, EPIC etc. Then what is the way out?
The plausible solution is available in two fronts. We must strengthen our legislation and implement all that is required whether National Register of Citizen or a full proof mechanism to detect illegal immigrants. Secondly, the system of work permit for illegal immigrants must be started immediately. Once we issue work permit, we are confirming that he or she is a foreign National and hence cannot become a voter and an Indian citizen.
Question of stopping their inflow from Bangladesh seems to me as an impossible job. Geography cannot be changed. What can be changed is to integrate the economy of Bangladesh with NER in such a manner that it will by itself help in decreasing the inflow of foreigners from Bangladesh.