Itanagar
In view of the anticipated fallout of the publication of the final draft of NRC in Assam, the Arunachal Pradesh Government has tightened security along the inter-state boundary.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu has directed the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) to ensure sufficient personnel at all entry-points of the state to thwart any possible influx of illegal immigrants into the state.
As Arunachal Pradesh shares about 804.1 kilometers of boundary with Assam, the state government is apprehensive that many people from Assam, especially who have not been enlisted in the draft register, may try to enter into Arunachal Pradesh fearing deportation.
The Chief Minister said extra vigil needs to be maintained at all entry points of the state along the Assam-Arunachal boundary.
As the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations Act of 1875 restricts entry of non-Arunachalee citizens without an Inner Line Permit (ILP), Khandu said strict checking should be done at all entry check gates as well as airports, heliports and the lone railway station at Naharlagun to verify the identity of people coming into the state.
“It is the duty of security personnel manning the entry-points to check ILPs of people entering the state at all times.
However, in the backdrop of the draft NRC list, extra vigil and caution has to be maintained at least for one month from today,” Khandu observed.
Further, the Chief Minister asked the state Home department and the police to be prepared to tackle any kind of law and order situation in the aftermath of the NRC list publication.
He viewed that even while Arunachal Pradesh has no connection with the NRC exercise being done in the neighbouring state, the state should remain prepared for any eventuality.
