Guwahati: In a significant update on the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in Assam, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary informed the state assembly on Monday that 39 individuals have applied for Indian citizenship under the Act, with two applicants successfully granted citizenship so far.
The minister also stated that 18 applications are currently under review, while 19 have been closed, though the applicants retain the right to reapply.
Patowary, speaking on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, was responding to a query raised by MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha. He further addressed concerns about illegal infiltration from Bangladesh, asserting that security forces deployed along the international border are effectively foiling infiltration attempts, though certain areas still pose challenges.
When questioned about Aadhar enrollment in Assam, Patowary noted that 96.97% of the state’s population had been registered as of January 2025, with all districts having facilities for continuous enrollment.
Congress MLA Jakir Hussain Sikdar raised concerns about possible loopholes in border security and the alleged involvement of government officials in illegal migration. In response, Patowary firmly denied any such involvement, emphasizing that no official or agency is aiding infiltration. He revealed that 156 Bangladeshis were caught trying to enter Assam illegally between 2021 and 2024, with 51 apprehended in 2021, 57 in 2022, 22 in 2023, and 26 in 2024.
The minister further highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen border security. While barbed wire fencing and BSF patrols are in place along most of the Assam-Bangladesh border, challenges persist in riverine areas, such as Sribhumi district. He assured the assembly that the government is exploring scientific solutions to effectively seal these vulnerable stretches and prevent unauthorized crossings.