Guwahati: In a landmark move, the Assam government today declared the immediate withdrawal of all pending cases against members of the Koch Rajbongshi community that were being heard in the state’s Foreigners’ Tribunals. This decision effectively removes the ‘D’ or doubtful voter tag that had been placed on numerous individuals belonging to the community.
The announcement was made this Friday by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who hailed the decision as a truly historic one for the state. Speaking to the press after a crucial cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister stated, “There are 28,000 cases pending in different Foreigners’ Tribunals in the state against people of the community. The cabinet has taken a historic decision of lifting the cases with immediate effect.”
This significant action by the state government is rooted in its firm acknowledgment of the Koch Rajbongshis as an indigenous community of Assam, deeply intertwined with the region’s rich social and cultural heritage. Chief Minister Sarma further emphasized the plight of the community members, noting, “The people of this community are poor and have suffered a lot over the years.”
Assam’s Foreigners’ Tribunals, established under the Foreigners Act of 1946 and the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order of 1964, are tasked with ascertaining the citizenship of individuals suspected of being undocumented immigrants. Currently, Assam operates a network of 100 such tribunals across the state.
The Koch Rajbongshi community holds a substantial presence not only in Assam but also in West Bengal, Meghalaya, and even across international borders in parts of Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. For a considerable period, the community has been advocating for the recognition of Scheduled Tribe status. This recent decision by the Assam government is anticipated to bring considerable relief to thousands of Koch Rajbongshi individuals who have endured years of uncertainty regarding their citizenship.
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