Assam NRC: Gorkhas Refuse to Visit Foreigners' Tribunals to 'Prove' Citizenship

Guwahati, September 22, 2019:

“Gorkhas won’t go to Foreigners’ Tribunal (FT) to prove their citizenship,” said Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangha National President, Sukhman Moktan.

Addressing a delegation in Guwahati, Assam, Moktan said that Gorkhas could file a defamation case against the system. “Gorkhas being tried in the FT is an insult on being an Indian and we can file defamation against the system for challenging Gorkhas citizenship and Nepali speaking population being taken to FT courts,” he said.

The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangha had organised a week-long tour across Assam to meet NRC victims and arbitrarily marked D Voters.

Moktan said, "We met NRC victims and arbitrarily marked D Voters and their descendents whose citizenship is challenged and are being directed to go to FT as per NRC guidelines while a recent Ministry of Home Affairs’ notification exempts the Gorkhas.”

He alleged that this was an attempt of a few vested interests within the system to disrespect Indian Gorkhas.

Also Read: Assam Chief Secretary Considering Formation of Empowered Committee to Address Gorkhas' NRC Woes

The delegation was comprised with Secretary General Nirmal Kumar Pun, National Vice President Yam Prasad Ghimire, Bharatiya Gorkha Mahila Parisangha, Women wing President Dr. Poonam Subba and Progamme Secretary Mamta Lama, and National Executive Member (NEM) Balram Thapa.

Assam State BGP President, Nityananda Upadhyay said that the party will take the matter to the Supreme Court if the state government does not act as per duty. He further said that he would ensure that the Gorkhas are not taken to Foreigners Tribunals.

BGP Secretary General Nirmal Kumar Pun reiterated, “No Indian Gorkhas should be left out of NRC.”

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It is to be mentioned that the Gauhati High Court had directed the Assam Govt. to file a fresh writ petition before appropriate bench in order to legally implement the MHA Notification BB/PK/SS Release Id 1549227 issued on October 10, 2018. However, the case is yet to be filed.

National Vice President BGP, Yam Ghimire said, “This has jeopardized the cases of thousands of Gorkhas who seek redressal in getting their names removed from the list of D-Voters and from the FT."

BGP has urged the Assam Chief Secretary Alok Kumar to take appropriate measures to file a fresh case at the earliest in the Gauhati High Court so that Gorkhas are delivered justice.

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