Assam to Halt Aadhaar for Adults Over 18 to Curb Illegal Migration

• Assam bans Aadhaar for individuals over 18 from October.
• SC, ST, and tea garden tribes get one-year Aadhaar issuance window.
• Deadline to apply is September; later requests need DC approval.
• Move aimed at stopping illegal Bangladeshi migrants from gaining IDs.

GG News Bureau
Guwahati, 21st Aug: In a major policy decision, the Assam government announced that no new Aadhaar cards will be issued to individuals above the age of 18 from October. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the step is aimed at preventing illegal Bangladeshi migrants from obtaining Indian identity documents.

The decision, taken at a cabinet meeting on Thursday, will come into effect from the first week of October after a formal notification is issued.

“Those who are 18-plus will no longer get Aadhaar cards in Assam. For SCs, STs, and tea garden tribes, Aadhaar will be issued only for one year. Those who haven’t applied must do so within September. After that, applications will be considered only through the Deputy Commissioner, with final approval resting solely with the DC,” Sarma said after the meeting.

The move comes amid Assam’s ongoing campaign to identify and deport undocumented migrants from Bangladesh. The state, sharing a porous border with Bangladesh, has long faced demographic and political tensions over illegal immigration.

Officials argue Aadhaar has been misused by migrants to legitimize their stay, and restricting its issuance will plug loopholes in the identity system.

Sarma also raised concerns about pro-Bangladesh sentiments in Dhubri district, close to the international border, warning that such activities could threaten India’s sensitive Siliguri corridor, also called the “chicken neck.”

“Our chicken neck region is extremely vulnerable as most people who settled there originally came from Bangladesh. Now, some elements in Bangladesh are provoking residents to create pro-Bangladesh sentiments,” he said.