Assam government today said it is not possible to detect and deport illegal foreigners from the state within a definite time frame.
"Completing the process to detect and deport foreigners within a definite time frame is impossible and if we expedite it unnecessarily, there is possibility of genuine Indian citizens getting harassed," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said.
During a discussion over Congress MLA Abdul Khaleque's Private Member Resolution for timely solution of the illegal immigration issue, Patowary informed the House that the government wants the entire process to move within the legal framework.
"Both foreigners problem and 'D' voter issue are under the jurisdiction of Indian government and Election Commission. State government cannot directly interfere in these matters," he said.
Both issues are going through judicial process and the state government is extending all support to the central government, Election Commission and the Supreme Court in this regard, Patowary added.
Talking about the number of illegal foreigners in the state, the Minister said, "It has not been enumerated properly that how many immigrant foreigners are living in Assam. But it is sure that in addition to detected foreigners, lots of foreigners are yet to be detected."
Giving numbers, he said police started investigating 6,21,688 cases till October 2016, of which probe was completed in 6,14,202 cases.
"After investigation, 4,44,189 cases were sent to various courts. Out of these, 2,42,261 cases have been disposed and 2,01,928 cases are yet to over. These include 'D' cases as well.
"Till now, a total of 78,916 foreigners have been detected. Out of them, 33,362 were detected from 1966-1971 time period," Patowary informed the Assam Assembly.
Currently, 1,14,401 cases related to 'D' voters are going on at different Foreigners Tribunal, he added.
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