ITANAGAR, Jul 30: Chief Minister Pema Khandu has directed the chief secretary and the director general of police to ensure sufficient personnel at all entry points of the state to thwart possible influx of illegal immigrants into the state.
The direction has been issued in view of the anticipated fallout of the publication of the final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam.
The Arunachal Pradesh government has also tightened security along the interstate boundary.
As Arunachal Pradesh shares about 804.1 kilometres of boundary with Assam, the state government is apprehensive that many people from Assam, especially those who have not been enlisted in the draft register, may try to enter 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), Pema said strict checking should be done at all entry check gates as well as airports, heliports, and the railway station at Naharlagun to verify the identities of people coming into the state.
“It is the duty of security personnel manning the entry points to check the 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,” Pema observed.
The chief minister also asked the 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.
“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,” he said. (CMO)
