IndiaTomorrow.net,
Guwahati, Oct 3: Following the huge media uproar over the citizenship notice to former soldier Azmal Haque who served the Indian Army for 30 years, the Assam police on Tuesday said the notice by the tribunal was because of mistaken identity.
“Assam Police which accused Azmal Haque of being an illegal immigrant NOW says it was a case a mistaken identity. The media outrage did d trick,” said Haque’s lawyer Aman Wadud.
Haque, who retired from the Indian Army as Junior Commissioned Officer in September 2016, was served a notice by the state authorities this past September asking him to prove his citizenship.
AssamPolice which accused AzmalHaque of being n illegal immigrant NOW says it was a case a mistaken identity.The media outrage did d trick
— Aman Wadud (@AmanWadud) October 3, 2017
IF it was a case of mistaken identity why did Assam Police earlier accused Azmal Haque’s wife and sister-in-law of being illegal immigrant?
— Aman Wadud (@AmanWadud) October 3, 2017
Nothing could be more humiliating for a country’s soldier if his citizenship is questioned by his own country whose borders he protected for 30 years. Haque was saddened by the notice and he felt humiliated.
In a video appeal to the President of India, Prime Minister and Home Minister two days back, Haque had asked: “I want to know why I have to be humiliated again and again without any reason. I request to President, Prime Minister and Home Minister not to let genuine Indian citizens be harassed.”
Recently, the Superintendent of Police of Kamrup District had issued notice to him as a doubtful foreigner (doubtful-voter category). He was asked to appear before the tribunal on 11 Sep but he got the notice after the expiry of the date. Then he was served fresh notice and asked to appear before the tribunal on coming 13 Oct.
Commenting on today’s explanation by Assam police, Haque’s lawyer Aman Wadu asked: “If it (notice to Haque) was a case of mistaken identity, why did Assam Police earlier accuse Azmal Haque’s wife and sister-in-law of being illegal immigrant?”
In the video, Haque said: “In 2012, they had issued notice to my wife as doubtful foreigner. I submitted all her citizenship documents in the tribunal court and the honourable court declared her proper Indian citizen.”
Haque was born in Kamrup district in 1968, his mother’s name features in NRC1951. But Assam Police said he came to India illegally after1971. Haque joined the Indian Army in 1986. He was appointed as Junior Commissioned Officer in 2003 by then President of India APJ Abdul Kalam. Haque retired from the Army in 2016.
Full Text of Azmal Haque’s video message:
My dear countrymen,
I am very sad. I have wept lot. I am an ex-serviceman of the Indian Army. I served in the Indian Army for my country for 30 years. During the service, I executed my duties in most difficult terrains for my country. After retirement, I have been living with my family and children in Guwahati.
Recently, the Superintendent of Police of Kamrup District has issued notice to me as a doubtful foreigner (doubtful-voter category). Similarly in 2012, they had issued notice to my wife as doubtful foreigner. I submitted all her citizenship documents in the tribunal court and the honourable court declared her proper Indian citizen.
Dear friends, I am releasing this video because I want to know why I have to be humiliated again and again without any reason. I request to President, Prime Minister and Home Minister not to let genuine Indian citizens be harassed. Jai Hind!”
