Assam NRC: Digital biometric system to track illegal migrants; centre approves Rs 99 crore

The Central government has approved Rs 99 crore for smart digital mode e-Foreigners Tribunals (e-FT) in Assam to facilitate deportation of illegal immigrants who have been identified through Assam NRC. This will prevent them from obtaining Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), passports, driving license, Aadhaar card, PAN card, ration card and government documents, according to various reports. The “biometric-based real-time” tracking system will find, prosecute, put them in detention and then deport those identified as illegal residents. Some 1,000 additional Foreigners Tribunals is expected to set up in the state.

Around 1.9 million people being left out in Assam where the NRC exercise was concluded on August 31 this year. According to a survey conducted by the Rights & Risks Analysis Group (RRAG), those who have been left out from the NRC list in Assam spent a total of Rs 7,836 crore in appeals and hearings. The NRC exercise carried out under the supervision of the Supreme Court aims to identify foreigners who entered the state after 24th of March 1971. This is in keeping with Assam Accord that was agreed upon by the Centre and state bodies.

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