Gogoi hails centre's move to prioritise migrants' issue

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Tuesday hailed the central government's move to prioritise the issue of infiltration and illegal migration into the northeastern states.

He also said the state government was ready to cooperate with the centre in this regard.

"If the centre wants us (state government) to us to help them in identifying the illegal migrants living in the state, we are ready to help. They are also welcome if they want to do it on their own by engaging some agency," Gogoi told newsmen here.

Addressing a joint session of parliament, President Pranab Mukherjee said Monday the issue of infiltration and illegal migrants will be tackled on a priority basis and all pending fencing work along the northeast border will be completed.

Gogoi said the issue of border fencing has already been taken care of and only a six-km stretch of the Bangladesh border in Assam is left to be fenced now.

"We have a 229.03 km border with Bangladesh in Assam. Our government has already completed fencing in 222.67 km," he said.