'Prove you are an Indian and not illegal Bangladeshi immigrant': Retired JOC officer from Assam told after 30 years of service

After serving the Indian Army for 30 years, a retired Junior Commissioned Officer has been asked to prove that he is an Indian citizen and not an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh, several media outlets reported. Mohammad Azmal Hoque, who retired from the army in September last year, was served a notice from a foreigners’ tribunal in Assam in August this year, Hindustan Times reported. According to News18, Hoque has been ordered to submit relevant documents to prove his citizenship.

The report added that Hoque, a Guwahati resident, has been placed in the ‘doubtful-voter’ category by Assam’s illegal migrant tribunal, alleging he entered India after 25 March, 1971.

[caption id=“attachment_4099191” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Mohd Azmal Hoque. Twitter @amanwadud[/caption] DNA reported that the retired officer has been told to appear before the tribunal on 13 October. According to media reports, even Hoque’s wife Mumtaj Begum, was summoned by the foreigners’ tribunal in 2012 on similar grounds. Hoque defended himself stating that his citizenship credentials were verified, when he had applied for a franchisee of a customer point of a bank in May. Hoque reiterated that his family is indigenous Assamese, pointing to the fact that his father’s name had been mentioned in the 1966 voter list. He added that his mother’s name was also mentioned in the 1951 National Register of Citizens, Hindustan Times reported.

“I have served the Indian Army for 30 years. In 2012, I got a notice saying I was a ‘doubtful foreigner’, but I submitted all documents in the tribunal court which had declared me an Indian citizen. Why do I have to be humiliated so many times? I request the Prime Minister, the President, and the Home Minister to end this harassment of a proper citizen,” Hoque told CNN-News18.

After a tweet highlighting Hoque’s plight went viral, the Eastern Command of the Indian Army said that “necessary assistance” will be provided to the retired officer.

Mohd.Azmal Haque,served in Indian Army for 30yrs, Retd as Junior Com Officer,now accused of being illegal immigrant by AssamPolice. @adgpi pic.twitter.com/UYrSuyr5U5

— Aman Wadud (@AmanWadud) September 30, 2017

Major DP, Thanks for your concern. The JCO has been contacted and necessary assistance will be provided till the issue is resolved.

— EasternCommand_IA (@easterncomd) September 30, 2017

Illegal immigration from Bangladesh is an emotive issue in Assam. As per the 1985 Assam Accord, 25 March, 1971 is the cut off date for detection and deportation of illegal Bangladeshis. Assam has over 100 foreigners’ tribunal, with a Hindustan Times report stating that nearly 80,000 people have been detected as foreigners since 1986, out of which, 29,729 were deported.