Guwahati, June 7 -- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday affirmed that the state will accelerate its drive to identify 'illegal foreigners,' a process he stated National Register of Citizens (NRC) related matters had paused.

This announcement comes amidst widespread protests by minority groups during Eid prayers across the state, condemning the purported "pushback" and "harassment" of genuine citizens in the name of detecting illegal immigrants.

Speaking to the media persons in Nalbari, CM Sarma reiterated that the state government is examining an old law that could allow it to "push back" declared infiltrators without mandatory judicial intervention.

He cited a constitutional bench of the Supreme Court, which, while he...