Assam police authorised to obtain foreigners’ fingerprints

Assam Government has authorised the police to obtain fingerprints and photographs of suspected foreigners before or at the time of referring their cases to the Foreigners Tribunal.

The order, which will come into force with immediate effect, had become necessary as some suspected foreigners go untraced during the pendency of investigation by the state government and also during the pendency of the proceedings in the Foreigners Tribunal, official sources on Monday said.

As they cannot be traced their deportation, if ordered cannot be made, officials said.

Besides, it is also necessary to obtain the fingerprints and photographs of suspected foreigners before referring the cases to the Foreigners Tribunal in order to keep the track of such suspected foreigners in the event of their declaration as foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunal, the sources added.

The notification was issued by the Commissioner and secretary to the home and political department.