Gogoi against visa-free entry for select Bangladeshis

Assam Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader Tarun Gogoi on Thursday said the BJP-led government at the Centre was trying to introduce visa-free entry facilities to certain categories of Bangladesh nationals, a proposal his government has rejected outright.

“Last week we received a letter from the Ministry of External Affairs seeking our opinion on a proposal by the Centre to introduce visa-free entry facilities to some categories of Bangladeshi citizens to our country.  We have rejected it outright saying it was meaningless when we have not been able to keep track of those Bangladeshis who come with proper visas,” Gogoi said at a press conference in Guwahati.

Quoting a letter sent by the MEA to Assam government on June 11, he said the Centre had invited views and comments from his government on a proposal to permit Bangladesh nationals below the age of 18 and above the age of 65 to visit India without a visa.  Gogoi also accused the BJP of changing their stand on the issue of Bangladeshi immigrants.