Guwahati, July 7 (IANS) All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) president and MLA Badruddin Ajmal on Tuesday strongly criticised the ongoing detection, deportation and alleged pushback of suspected illegal Bangladeshi nationals, asserting that any such action must strictly adhere to the law and the provisions of the Constitution.

Speaking to reporters here, Ajmal described the practice of “pushback” as illegal and alleged that it violated established legal and constitutional principles. He said pushback is absolutely unlawful, illegal and wrong, and that it should not happen. He called it an atrocity.

Referring to his earlier remarks on the number of suspected illegal immigrants, Ajmal said the figures he had cited were based on official government records. However, he added that he would furnish the exact data at a later stage.

The Binnakandi MLA maintained that the process of identifying and deporting illegal immigrants should be carried out only within the framework of the law.

He stressed that constitutional safeguards and due legal procedures must remain paramount while dealing with such sensitive matters.

Ajmal said in today’s world, everything functions according to the law and the Constitution. In India too, every action must be guided by the Constitution. He alleged that those who commit such actions without adhering to constitutional principles do not respect the Constitution.

His remarks come at a time when the issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh has once again come under sharp political focus in Assam, with the state government intensifying its drive to identify and deport foreign nationals residing illegally in the state.

The issue has remained a politically sensitive subject in Assam for decades, with successive governments citing concerns over demographic changes, border security and the implementation of legal mechanisms for the detection and deportation of illegal immigrants.

–IANS

tdr/dan