By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Guwahati: After Assam government opposed to the proposal of the Narendra Modi government to let Bangladeshi nationals without visa, several political and social organizations have reacted strongly against it. The state government earlier said it has opposed a proposal from the centre to give visa-free entry to Bangladeshi nationals below 18 years and above 65 years of age.
“Few days ago the centre has sent us a proposal seeking our opinion regarding the lifting of visa for Bangladeshi nationals for those below 18 years and above 65 years of age. We have expressed our opposition to this. It is already a very difficult task to trace all the foreign nationals coming in India with a valid visa and no-visa will make the task even more difficult for government agencies,” Gogoi told media in Guwahati.
The state government has, however, accepted two other proposals — starting a Dhaka-Guwahati bus service via Shillong and allowing transit for water transport.
Other political parties including All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) besides All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and others too have reacted strongly against the centre’s proposal.
“We appreciate the move of NDA government to keep an amicable relation with the neighbouring countries. But to allow Bangladeshi citizens without visa is not at all acceptable. Our main problem is the illegal invasion of Bangladeshi nationals. Our party can never support this,” said AIUDF general secretary Aminul Islam in a statement.
AGP working president Atul Bora told reporters that the proposal is a betrayal with the people of the region by the central government.
“Before elections, Narendra Modi had promised so many things including to clear the state from illegal citizens but his behaviour seems to be changing. This is a serious threat to the state. We will oppose it with the best of our ability,” Bora said.
AASU also termed it as ‘betrayal’ by the Narendra Modi led government. “The state has already been affected by the presence of illegal citizens from Bangladesh. The government has failed to clear them off so far. If they are allowed to visit the country without visa, it will be a disaster. We cannot let it happen at any cost,” said AASU general secretary Tapan Kumar Gogoi.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is scheduled for a three-day visit to Bangladesh from June 25 when she is likely to meet top leaders there and discuss vital issues including relaxation of visa norms, according to media reports. Her Dhaka-visit is considered as part of the Modi government’s outreach to neighbouring countries.
Ironically, it was Modi who during his campaigns for this year’s general elections had said that all illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in India will be deported after BJP makes the government at the centre.