Assam Woman Becomes First Citizen Under CAA in the State

Dipali Das Receives Indian Citizenship in Assam Under CAA

A 60-year-old resident of Cachar District , Dipali Das , has become the first person in the state to receive Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 . She received her citizenship certificate on 6 March 2026 in Hawaithang village of the Dholai area. The case marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the CAA in Assam and brings closure to a long-standing citizenship dispute.

Migration and Citizenship Dispute

According to available records, Dipali Das migrated from Bangladesh along with her husband on 7 February 1988 due to alleged persecution. The family settled in Cachar district and began rebuilding their lives in the region. However, the absence of valid citizenship documents later triggered scrutiny from authorities.

In 2013 , an investigation into her nationality was initiated. A police chargesheet stated that she had entered India after March 1971 , which placed her under suspicion as an illegal migrant. This led to prolonged legal proceedings and administrative review regarding her citizenship status.

Detention and Release

In 2019 , Das was declared a foreigner and detained in a detention facility in Silchar . She remained in the detention centre for nearly two years. In April 2020 , the Supreme Court of India directed authorities to release detainees who had spent more than two years in detention to reduce overcrowding during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following this order, she was released on bail.

Legal Assistance and Citizenship Grant

After her release, social worker Kamal Chakraborty connected Das with advocate Dharmananda Deb, who prepared her application under the Citizenship Amendment Act. Ironically, the earlier police chargesheet confirming her Bangladeshi origin later served as crucial supporting evidence in her CAA application, ultimately leading to the approval of her Indian citizenship.

Exam-Focused Key Points

• Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019: Provides a path to Indian citizenship for persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

• Eligible communities include Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who entered India before 31 December 2014 .

• Assam has experienced prolonged citizenship verification issues linked to migration and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

• Dipali Das became the first person in Assam to receive citizenship under the CAA .