Two northeastern states — Assam and Mizoram — have taken strict steps to control illegal immigration from Bangladesh and Myanmar by tightening the rules for identification documents.
Context of the Issue:
Illegal immigration has long been a sensitive and politically important issue in the Northeast. Assam is focusing on curbing misuse of Aadhaar, while Mizoram is targeting the repeated cross-border movements of Myanmar nationals due to the ongoing civil unrest in Myanmar.
Measures Taken by Assam:
- Stricter Aadhaar Issuance Policy: From now on, only District Commissioners (DCs) will have the authority to issue Aadhaar to new adult applicants.
- This aims to prevent Bangladeshi nationals from illegally obtaining Aadhaar cards.
- 100% Aadhaar Coverage Already Achieved: Assam CM claimed that since Aadhaar coverage is already complete, any new application will be strictly scrutinized.
- Suspicious Aadhaar Penetration Rates: Some districts like Barpeta (103.74%) and Dhubri (103.48%) have more Aadhaar holders than their projected population.
- These areas have high concentrations of Bengali-speaking Muslims, raising concerns over illegal entries.
- NRC Linkage: Those who did not apply under the National Register of Citizens (NRC) are now being barred from obtaining Aadhaar since April 2024.
Measures Taken by Mizoram:
- Proposal to Seize Myanmar Nationals’ Identity Cards: CM Lalduhoma suggested collecting and retaining Myanmar-issued identity documents of frequent cross-border refugees.
- Humanitarian vs Security Balance: While acknowledging the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, the government wants to ensure refuge is not misused.
- Law-abiding refugees are welcome, but repeat entries and exits will attract strict action.
- Coordination with Centre: The proposal was discussed with MEAs Joint Secretary and Protector General of Emigrants, showing Centre-State collaboration.
Significance & Concerns:
- Highlights a tougher stance on border security and document verification in border states.
- Raises debate on humanitarian rights vs national security, especially in conflict-driven refugee cases.
- Assists in tackling issues like demographic changes, resource pressure, and internal security threats.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IN ASSAM AND MIZORAM
Assam – Illegal Immigration from Bangladesh (Since 1971):
- Large-scale migration began after the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, causing demographic changes in districts like Dhubri, Barpeta, and Nagaon.
- Issue: Strain on resources, change in voter base, and ethnic tensions between locals and migrants.
Assam NRC Controversy (2019):
- The National Register of Citizens (NRC) was updated to identify illegal immigrants, with 19 lakh people excluded from the final list in August 2019.
- Issue: Many genuine citizens were left out while some illegal immigrants allegedly stayed in the list, creating legal and political challenges.
Mizoram – Myanmar Refugee Influx (Post-2021):
- After the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, over 35,000 refugees (mainly Chin communities) fled to Mizoram due to violence.
- Issue: While locals show solidarity due to ethnic ties, the state struggles with accommodation, identification, and border regulation.
Aadhaar & Identity Card Misuse (2024–2025):
- Assam in 2025 restricted Aadhaar issuance only through District Commissioners to prevent Bangladeshi migrants from misusing documents.
- Mizoram proposed in 2024 to confiscate Myanmar ID cards to control cross-border movement.
- Issue: Rising security concerns and misuse of welfare schemes by non-locals.
NRC (National Register of Citizens):
- NRC is an official record that lists all legal Indian citizens in a state, aimed at identifying and removing illegal immigrants, especially in border states like Assam.
- First created in 1951, the NRC was updated in Assam in 2015–2019 under Supreme Court supervision to detect illegal Bangladeshi migrants who entered after March 24, 1971.
- The final list, published in August 2019, excluded about 19 lakh people, leading to legal, humanitarian, and political challenges, including concerns over genuine citizens being left out.
Conclusion:
These new steps by Assam and Mizoram reflect the rising concern over unchecked immigration and misuse of identity systems. A careful balance between national security and humanitarian care remains essential going forward.
