14 Foreigners Tribunals members under Dispur's scanner for 'communal act'

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Altogether 14 Foreigners Tribunals (FTs) members have come under the scanner of Dispur after they donated funds to Assam Arogya Nidhi (AAN) to fight against the deadly coronavirus allegedly with an "ill-motive".

The FT members donated funds to AAN on April 7 along with a letter to Health & Family Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with a plea for not extending any help to those associated with Tablighi Jamat. "Our only prayer is that the help may not be extended to the members of violators Tablighi Jamat, Jehadi and Jahil," the letter stated.

This letter of the FT members has raised concern among the public. Meanwhile, the Baksa district unit of All Assam Minorities Students' Union (AAMSU) lodged an FIR at the Mushalpur Police Station against such members on the basis of contents of the letter, on April 13.

"The members of Foreigners Tribunals, the quasi-judicial authorities decide the most precious right of individual—citizenship. The letter communicated by the accused persons reflects their mentality and biasness towards the citizens. The letter will definitely promote enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc, and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony as well as outrage religious feelings of class of people by insulting its religion or religious beliefs," the AAMSU's FIR stated.

Taking cognizance of the matter, the Political (B) department of Assam Government has issued show-cause notices to 14 FT members saying that "such an act is unbecoming of a responsible FT member, since it may lead to communal disharmony".

The Political (B) department has asked the FT members to explain as to why disciplinary actions must not be taken against them for such an act. Explanation of the FT members must reach the department on or before May 8.