It is unfortunate that the Assam Govenor, Lt. Gen. (Retd) S.K. Sinha, should involve himselt in controversy over such an emotive issue as infiltration. His report to the President, describing those occupying the charland or reverine islands as "foreigners", ignores the fact that they have been living there for years. As if that is not enough the Governor has started a virtual campaign against them ... In the circumstances, it is bound to be noted that the demand for repeal of the 1983 Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act is indeed the demand of both the BJP and the All Assam Students Union He says that enforcing the Act is difficult because tribunals are understaffed. If this is the obstacle, what prevents the Government from appointing judges? Scrapping the Act means violating the 1985 Assam Accord which provides for amendments but says nothing about revocation. The Governor admits it is not possible to detect all who came after the cut-off date of 25 March1971 and jumps to the conclusion that they should be declared stateless. This again goes against the Accord. Surprisingly, the Governor is silent over the amended Citizenship Act which allows children of illegal migrants to acquire citizenship, which the AASU is opposing ... There is nothing new in the report. Both Delhi and Dispur are aware of the problem. Gen. Sinha should have anticipated the consequences. It has already' created an atmosphere of communal disharmony which interested groups can be expected to exploit to their advantage ... Perhaps Indira Gandhi was not entirely wrong; the General does betray his political sympathies. And not for the first time.

No. of Registered Foreigners in India - As on 31.12.1997

(Source: LSUQ No. 3683 dated 22.11.1998 bu R.S. Naik, C.D. Gamit, R.K. Pandey, S. Gautam and M. Rawale)

No. of Foreigners deported during 1997

(Source: LSSQ No. 126 dated 8.12.1998 by'A.F.G. Osmani)