Assam LoP Urges Amit Shah for Robust Border Management Overhaul
Debabrata Saikia calls for enhanced BSF strategies and diplomatic engagement to address infiltration along the Assam-Bangladesh border.
Assam’s Leader of Opposition, Debabrata Saikia, has appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for urgent measures to strengthen border management along the 267.5-km Assam-Bangladesh frontier, citing persistent infiltration despite ongoing “pushback” operations by Assam Police. In a letter dated August 16, 2025, Saikia raised concerns about the efficacy of current security measures and coordination gaps between central and state agencies.
Saikia noted that since a “new strategy of pushback” was announced on May 10, 2025, operations have led to the repatriation of over 300 undocumented Bangladeshi nationals. However, he argued that these efforts, conducted despite Border Security Force (BSF) deployment, highlight “serious challenges” in border security. He pointed to the need for a thorough review of BSF strategies, particularly in challenging terrains, and criticized the Assam Police’s direct involvement in pushbacks, which he said indicates coordination lapses.
The Congress leader also flagged legal and diplomatic concerns, noting that some pushbacks reportedly bypass Foreigners Tribunal processes, potentially straining India-Bangladesh relations. “The conduct of state-level pushbacks... may create legal ambiguities and have possible diplomatic implications,” Saikia wrote.
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To address these issues, Saikia urged the Home Ministry to enhance BSF-Assam Police coordination, adopt technology-driven surveillance, and establish clear guidelines for handling infiltrators in line with national policy. He also emphasized proactive diplomatic engagement with Bangladesh to tackle infiltration’s root causes, stating, “This is essential to maintain bilateral trust.”
Saikia’s letter underscores the need for a comprehensive, well-coordinated approach to ensure effective border management and safeguard national security while preserving diplomatic relations.
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