Silchar: A civil society platform, Barak Democratic Front, has issued an open letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah ahead of his proposed visit to Barak Valley on February 20, welcoming his arrival while raising key concerns over illegal infiltration and the unfinished NRC process in Assam.

In the letter signed by Chief Convener Pradip Dutta Roy and other conveners, the organisation described the Minister’s visit as an important opportunity to address long standing socio economic challenges faced by the region. It urged the Centre to announce concrete plans to boost development and reduce deprivation in Barak Valley.

The letter questioned the continued narrative of illegal infiltration from Bangladesh, pointing out that border security falls under the jurisdiction of central agencies. It asked whether ongoing infiltration, if any, reflects gaps in border management under the Union Home Ministry.

The group also highlighted the unresolved status of nearly 19 lakh people excluded from the final NRC list, stating that the absence of follow up action despite significant public expenditure has prolonged uncertainty in Assam.

Seeking transparency, the Front requested the publication of a white paper detailing the number of illegal infiltrators detected and deported during the past decade under BJP rule at both state and central levels.

The letter further called for completion of border fencing and installation of modern surveillance systems, along with immediate steps to conclude the pending NRC process.

While asserting that no illegal infiltrator should remain in the country, the signatories cautioned against repeated political rhetoric without tangible action, urging the Home Minister to address the issue with administrative clarity rather than electoral messaging.

The letter was jointly issued by Roy along with Joydeep Bhattacharjee, Hrishikesh Dey, Haradhan Dutta, Debayan Deb and Nabarun Dey Choudhury on behalf of the Silchar based Barak Democratic Front.