Assam: A 50 year old ‘Bangladeshi’ Dulon Das has become the first person to get Citizenship under CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) in Assam, India. He came along with his family from Bangladesh’s Sylhet back in 1988 to Silchar in Assam.
As per Dulon Das, he recieved a message on Tuesday from the Union Home Ministry about his Indian Citizenship and was asked to collect the Citizenship Certificate from the Regional Passport Office in Guwahati.
Bangladeshi man’ journey to India
Das says that he applied for Indian citizenship in April. However, his journey to India comes along with hardships which he faced from time to time. His family faced multiple attacks in Bangladesh, so in 1988 they moved to Assam.
Das has also been actively voting during elections in Assam and owns documents like Aadhar Card. He says that he never applied for National Register of Citizens as he found it difficult to establish his bloodline.
Citizenship process, documents verification & more
Das’ lawyer in Silchar who assisted many Hindu NRC applicants suggested Dulon to stop applying for Citizenship and wait for the CAA. The process for getting Indian citizenship comprised of Police verification and Das produced documents like deed of their land ownership in Sylhet.
Former member of Foreigners Tribunal-4 of Silchar and Das’ lawyer said that out of eight people who applied for Indian Citizenship across Assam under CAA, two withdrew so far. Deb further told reporters that the other six applicants were under Union home ministry’s observation and only four had proper documents and were under high chances of getting Indian Citizenship.
What is CAA?
Citizenship Amendment Act was passed in 2019 to fasten the process of Citizenship for non-muslims who came to India before December 31, 2014 from three countries- Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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