Dhubri (Assam), 28 May (HS): Action has started against Bangladeshi nationals living illegally in Assam. Under this campaign, Dhubri police arrested 22 suspected Bangladeshi nationals. The detainees have been kept under tight security at BN College police post. Meanwhile, locals have complained that they are being harassed.

Sources at the District Police Headquarters said that the campaign was launched targeting suspected foreigners. However, the move has caused concern and confusion among local residents.

On the other hand, the families of some detainees claim that many of them have already been declared Indian citizens by the Foreigners' Tribunal. Others are either on bail or are pending before the tribunal. Local citizens have raised the issue before Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and sought intervention. They appealed to the Chief Minister to ensure that genuine Indian citizens are not put to unnecessary inconvenience in the name of identifying illegal immigrants.

Police sources said that 22 people are being interrogated and their documents related to Indian citizenship are being checked. On May 27, the BSF had driven back 14 Bangladeshi citizens from Thakuranbari border in Mankachar in South Salmara-Mankachar district of Assam.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash