Chhattisgarh Home Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma delivered a significant statement on Saturday regarding the State Identification Register (SIR) survey, outlining strict measures to identify and take legal action against individuals with doubtful backgrounds or illegal immigrant status.
Comprehensive Household Verification Process
The state government will initiate a thorough verification of every household once the initial phase of the SIR survey is completed. This exercise will involve categorizing residents, identifying documentation gaps, and implementing legal measures against those found living with questionable credentials or as illegal immigrants.
Sharma explicitly stated that the government will invoke the Foreigners Act and process eligible cases under citizenship legislation provisions. "Those who cannot prove their legal identity will not be allowed to stay illegally anymore," the Home Minister declared during his interaction with media.
2003 Records as Baseline for Verification
Explaining the verification methodology, Sharma detailed that documents and personal backgrounds must align with 2003 records. The verification matrix will scrutinize individuals appearing in the 2025 voter lists who neither they nor their blood relatives existed in the 2003 documentation.
"If someone appears in the 2025 voter list but neither they nor any of their blood relatives existed in the 2003 records, then an inquiry is mandatory. Question arises, where have they suddenly appeared from? If found guilty, they will face provisions of the Foreigners Act," Sharma explained in Hindi.
Non-Negotiable Security Exercise
The Home Minister emphasized that the SIR process is non-negotiable and pointed out that even Congress-ruled states are conducting similar surveys despite the party's national-level opposition. "There should be no confusion. In Chhattisgarh, Congress people are also doing SIR. They are not following what Rahul Gandhi said," Sharma remarked.
Sharma clarified that the SIR exercise is not targeting any specific community but is essential for state security. "This is about ensuring that every person residing in Chhattisgarh has a verifiable legal identity. The SIR will help us separate genuine residents from those who entered with forged identities or no documents at all," he stated.
Once the preliminary survey data is compiled, officials will begin scientific verification and categorization. Households with complete documentation will receive immediate clearance, while those lacking key records will have opportunities to submit clarifications and update their documents.
The 2003 records—including voter lists, ration cards, and revenue registers—will serve as the baseline to prevent fraudulent claims and trace authentic family lineages. Sharma reiterated that Chhattisgarh cannot become a shelter for illegal infiltration, forged documentation, or anti-national elements, emphasizing that "The SIR is a security exercise, not a political one. Our goal is clear — Chhattisgarh must remain secure."
This crucial announcement coincides with Chhattisgarh hosting the three-day 60th All India DGP/IGP conference at Naya Raipur, highlighting the state's focus on security matters.
