Assam Pushes Back 37 Illegal Bangladeshi Migrants, CM Himanta Says

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Tuesday that 37 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were “pushed back” to their home country from the Sribhumi sector, reinforcing his government’s commitment to making Assam infiltration-free. In a post on X, Sarma shared blurred images of men, women, and children, declaring, “Goodbye infiltrators; your time’s up in Assam!” He warned that all illegal immigrants would face similar action, stating that 35-40 individuals are being returned weekly through a “pushback” mechanism that bypasses lengthy legal deportation processes.

While the exact timing of the operation remains unclear, Sarma emphasised a zero-tolerance policy toward unauthorised entrants. The move is part of Assam’s ongoing efforts to address illegal immigration, a sensitive issue in the state due to its proximity to Bangladesh and historical border disputes. Over the past decade, Assam has intensified border surveillance, with the Border Security Force reporting over 1,000 pushbacks since 2023.

The policy has sparked debate, with critics arguing that summary pushbacks may violate international protocols on refugee rights, while supporters claim it’s essential for regional security and demographic stability. Assam, which shares a 262 km border with Bangladesh, has faced challenges in managing illegal crossings, particularly in districts like Sribhumi. Sarma’s aggressive stance aligns with the state’s broader crackdown, including updates to the National Register of Citizens to identify legal residents.

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Human rights groups have called for transparent procedures to ensure humane treatment, while Sarma insists the measures are necessary to protect Assam’s resources and identity. The government is yet to release detailed data on the operation, but officials say intensified border patrols and coordination with central agencies will continue to curb illegal immigration.

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