Man Declared Foreigner 20 Years Ago Enjoyed Citizen's Rights: Assam Court

Jagat Ghosh in central Assam's Nagaon district, was on November 3 told by the High Court to register as a "foreigner" with the Foreigner Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) within 60 days.

A man in Assam - declared a "foreigner" 20 years ago - continued to enjoy "all the rights and privileges of being a citizen...", including the right to vote, the Gauhati High Court observed in its order last week, adding that the state authorities were "oblivious".

Jagat Ghosh in central Assam's Nagaon district, was on November 3 told by the High Court to register as a "foreigner" with the Foreigner Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) within 60 days.

The court was hearing his petition that challenged the Foreigners Tribunal's verdict, which declared him a foreigner in 1999 under the "streamline foreigner" category.

A "streamline foreigner" or "foreigners of stream", is somebody who came to India between January 1, 1966 and March 24, 1971 and is staying in Assam.