GUWAHATI: Assam government has registered its opposition before the Union government against Bangladesh government’s request for introduction of a system of either ‘visa-free’ entry or multiple visa for Bangladeshi nationals.
It has also called for constitution of experts committee to carry out study on possible downstream impact on Western Assam due to construction of mega dams in neighbouring Bhutan in the wake of strong apprehensions aired by various quarters in Assam.
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday said External Affairs Ministry earlier this month sought opinion of Assam government regarding the request made by Bangladesh government. “We (Assam government) can’t allow visa-free entry of Bangladeshi nationals as we are fraught with a sensitive problem of illegal migration from Bangladesh in Assam.”
Gogoi, however, said that Assam government was not opposed to introduction of bus service along Shillong-Guwahati-Dhaka route and transit facility for Bangladeshi vessels to use Brahmaputra river route. He said these issues were in focus because of the present BJP-led NDA government’s intention to further improve ties with Bangladesh.
He also informed that his government has sought Rs 489.24 crore from the Union government for the completion of procession of updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam to March ,1971 so that it becomes easier to detect illegal migrants entering the state from Bangladesh after March, 1971,the cut off period for detection of illegal Bangladeshi migrants as per Assam accord signed in 1985 between the Government of India and leaders of Assam Agitation against illegal migration from Bangladesh.
Regarding the widespread apprehension aired by anti-dam brigades in Assam over construction of dam projects in Bhutan with assistance from Government of India, Gogoi said the Union government should ensure that western Assam areas don’t suffer because of downstream impact of these Bhutanese dams and suggested for setting up of an expert committee to suggest measures to be taken to ensure mitigation of possible downstream impact of Bhutanese hydro-power projects in western Assam areas which had faced disaster in 2004 and 2007 because of flash floods caused due to release of dam waters in Bhutan.