Infiltration to NE should not be overlooked:Khurshid

Guwahati, Apr 7 (UNI) Congress leader Salman Khurshid today said illegal infiltration should not create economic problems in the north eastern region and balancing of interest by these people should also not be overlooked.

''Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has a special link with Asom and has taken determined steps to resolve the issues of the state, including those of ULFA, minorities and illegal migrants,'' Mr Khurshid said.

The Uttar Pradesh Congress president, who is here on poll campaign, told newspersons that the prime minister, during his recent visit to Asom, had categorically assured that there would not be any harassment of Indian citizens in the name of deporting illegal infiltrators from the state.

While respecting the Supreme Court verdict on the IM(DT) act,the Congress had made suitable amendments in the Foreigners' Act to provide safeguard to religious and lingustic minorities in Asom, he said.

Another Congress leader from Uttar Pradesh Rashid Ulvi said no Indian will be disturbed after the scrapping of the IM(DT) act by the Supreme Court. ''The BJP is trying to create confusion among the people of Asom on the issue,'' he said.

Status of foreigners will be decided by the tribunals and not by the police. Hence there is no question of harassment of any Indian citizen, he noted.

To a question, the minority leader said the formation of Asom United Democratic Front will not hamper the cause of the Congress as most minorities support the party.

On the possible formation of a third front by Mr Chandrababu Naidu, Mr Amar Singh and others, he said; ''the so-called secular parties are linked with the BJP. They only want to damage Congress's image.'' UNI AB PL MA RN1408