Give only opinions, not order on citizenship status: Dispur to Foreigners Tribunals

DETECTION & DEPORTATION OF FOREIGNERS

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam Government has asked the members of FTs (Foreigners Tribunals) to give their opinions on the citizenship status of suspected foreigners. However, the FT members have been barred from passing any judgment or consequential order.

This development has assumed significance as the performance of many FTs is under the scanner. There are also reports that many judgments of some FTs have raised controversy and debate.

A recent letter written to the FT members by the Deputy Secretary of Political (B) Department, Parijat Bhuyan stated that the performance-assessment exercise carried out by the State Judicial Department on the basis of randomly selected samples of opinions rendered by the learned members of FTs, the Judicial Department has viewed with seriousness the passing of consequential directions/orders by the learned members while rendering opinion.

Quoting the relevant portions of the Judicial Department's view, the letter stated that "consequential order for deletion of names from the voters list, arrest and detention of the 'Declared Foreigners' by the FTs may not be necessary."

The letter added, "Consequential order for deportation of the 'Declared Foreigners' may not be a correct approach."

The letter from the Deputy Secretary of Political (B) department has finally asked the FT members "to adhere to the views of the Judicial Department while passing opinions on the citizenship status of suspected foreigners".

At present, Assam has operational 100 FTs.

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