Families of 15 men and women in Assam were left shocked and distraught after learning—largely through news reports—that their relatives were just hours away from being sent to Bangladesh, following administrative orders invoking provisions of the Foreigners Act and the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950.
According to officials, the individuals had earlier been declared foreigners by Foreigners’ Tribunals after failing to prove Indian citizenship. In recent days, district administrations were instructed to detain and deport them within a tight deadline, in some cases allowing less than 24 hours before expulsion.
For many families, the news came not through formal communication but via television broadcasts and newspaper reports, triggering panic and confusion. Several relatives rushed to detention centres, police stations, and lawyers’ offices in a last-ditch attempt to halt the deportations.
Family members said that some of those facing expulsion have lived in Assam for decades, with spouses, children, and livelihoods rooted in the state. In several cases, relatives claimed that legal appeals were still pending or that they had not been properly informed about the finality of tribunal orders.
Legal experts pointed out that while Foreigners’ Tribunal rulings are binding, individuals retain the right to challenge decisions before higher courts, including the Gauhati High Court. They noted that sudden deportation orders without adequate notice raise serious humanitarian and due-process concerns.
Officials, however, maintained that the action was taken in accordance with existing laws and court rulings. “These individuals were declared foreigners after due legal process. The administration is only implementing tribunal decisions,” a senior official said, adding that coordination with central agencies was underway.
The incident has reignited debate over citizenship determination in Assam, a state that has witnessed prolonged political and social tensions over migration, the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and foreigners’ tribunals. Civil society groups and rights organisations have called for greater transparency, legal safeguards, and humane treatment in deportation procedures.
As of the time of filing this report, families continued to seek legal intervention, hoping for temporary relief to prevent immediate deportation and secure a fresh hearing in court.
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