Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said around 1.20 lakh people have been identified as doubtful voters in the state and 41,583 of them have been declared foreigners. In a written reply to a question by Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, Sarma told the Assembly that a total of 1,19,570 people have been marked as doubtful voters so far.

He said that out of the cases settled, 76,233 have been declared Indians and 41,583 have been identified as foreigners. Sarma, who also handles the Home Department, said that 795 people have been released on bail from the detention camps following the Supreme Court's directions.

Verifying the nationality of declared foreigners

He said the concerned countries are verifying the nationality of those declared foreigners. They will be sent back after their country issues travel permits. The concept of doubtful voters in Assam was introduced by the Election Commission in 1997. It had prepared a list of those who could not provide proof of their Indian nationality.

He said that over 9.35 lakh people of Assam, who were unable to get their Aadhaar cards due to locking of their biometrics information given during the NRC updating process, will soon be issued Aadhaar cards by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

The CM said the Centre has directed the UIDAI to issue the cards as it has become clear that there is no connection between inclusion of name in NRC and Aadhaar registration. Sarma, meanwhile, said the state government is yet to decide on implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

18 opposition parties filed complaint against Sarma

18 opposition parties of Assam have lodged a complaint against CM Sarma in Dispur police station regarding the Miya Muslim statement. The Chief Minister has been accused of spreading hatred on the basis of caste and religion. The opposition says that Sarma is trying to create communal tension by targeting a specific community and his statement can increase communal tension in the state and lead to riots.

We will not let Muslims take over Assam

Let us tell you that yesterday Sarma had said in the assembly that he will not let 'Miya' Muslims take over Assam. He said that people of Hindu community are migrating from 'Miya' Muslim dominated areas. Let us tell you that 'Miya' is basically the name given to Bengali speaking Muslims in Assam and non-Bengali speaking people usually identify them as Bangladeshi refugees.