Real threats and Redundant Debate
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: October 31 2015 -

Few national and regional based observers had earlier thought that some of the fears raised by indigenous communities over the influx of migrants were based on unfounded perceptions.

Except for the case of Tripura, some of them had even suggested that until and unless the fears were backed by factual details, most projections put forth were conjectural in nature.

However, the recent report that Assam’s indigenous population will be reduced to minority by 2047 has brought home certain uncomfortable realties.

The one-man commission set up by the Supreme Court on the Indo-Bangladesh boundary issue has revealed important findings pertaining to illegal migration from Bangladesh to Assam.

The report of the commission indicated that unabated flow of migrants pose a big threat to the State’s indigenous population and the influx may reduce Assam’s indigenous communities to a minority by 2047.

The commission stated that the influx of illegal Bangladeshi migrants into Assam is changing the demographic pattern in the State with the overall Muslim population in the State increased by over 4% between 2001 and 2011.

The report by the Supreme Court-appointed court commissioner reveals that there has been a sudden influx of registered voters in certain areas of the State even though their nationalities were yet to be ascertained.

It may be mentioned that the Apex court is hearing a PIL against the grant of citizenship to illegal migrants from Bangladesh.

The commission has suggested that the “continued aggression of illegal migrants” needs to be stopped and there was a need to restrict sale of land and immovable property to those whose citizenship was yet to be ascertained.

The report said that only those who were citizens in 1951 and their descendants could purchase land and acquire immovable property.

The commission also made a similar recommendation for government jobs to contain illegal migration and protect indigenous inhabitants.

The one-man commission report also observed that the primary reason for illegal migration is hunger for land and recommended that there should be a restriction in the transfer of land – whether by way of sale, purchase, gift or any other such transaction, or by way of allotment from the government or any other agency only to those who have been citizens of India in the year 1951 and their descendants.

However, the most significant suggestion made by the commission says that is imperative the statutory restrictions on transfer of land to non-tribals in existing tribal belts in Assam should now be extended to non-tribal areas as well to stave off illegal migrants from acquiring land.

The commission’s report has virtually rendered the question of being tribal or non-tribal to a redundant debate.

The Supreme Court has directed both the Central and Assam governments to respond to the recommendations within four weeks for hearing on November 5.