NALSA directs ASLSA to provide assistance to D-voters

The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has directed the Assam State Legal Services Authority (ASLSA) to provide assistance to people who had been declared 'D' voters or had been facing trial in Foreigners Tribunals in the state.

According to Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, the directive about providing assistance to the affected people, in accordance with the provisions of the Legal Services Authorities Act (LSAA), was issued in a letter dated July 17.

Saikia claimed that it was issued in response to letters written by him highlighting the alleged harassment faced by several people who were prosecuted as foreign nationals despite having strong documentary evidence of Indian citizenship.

He welcomed the directive and expressed hope that the ASLSA would provide assistance to people.

The family of former deputy speaker of the Assam Assembly, Maulana Amiruddin had also been allegedly harassed despite possessing valid documents to prove their citizenship.

Saikia had written to the NALSA after visiting detention camps at Goalpara, Kokrajhar and Cachar in the last couple of years and collecting data from the inmates while interacting with them.

In a press release, Saikia had claimed that he highlighted the plight of genuine Indian citizens persecuted as foreign nationals.

He sought steps to lessen their misery in letters to the President, the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister, the Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner among others.

'D' or doubtful voters are people who have been disenfranchised during electoral roll revision for their alleged lack of proper citizenship credentials.