Himanta Sarma Says Assam Authorities Blocked Entry Of 17 Bangladeshi Infiltrators

Assam Police prevented 17 people described by authorities as illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators from entering the state in the early hours of Thursday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The chief minister said the action was part of an alert and proactive effort by the state police to prevent alleged illegal entrants from crossing into Assam. In a post on social media, Sarma said the 17 people were identified and stopped before entering India. He described the action as part of the state's efforts to check illegal immigration and reiterated his government's position that people entering India must follow the legal process. "No Kaagaz No Entry!" he said in the post.

Sarma said Assam's borders would remain open to people who enter the country legally but asserted that those found to be entering illegally would be sent back. "Our doors are open to those who come legally. For illegal entrants, there is only one way – BACK," he said, emphasising the government's stated policy on illegal immigration. The chief minister's remarks come amid Assam's longstanding focus on detecting and preventing alleged illegal migration from neighbouring Bangladesh. The state shares a significant international border with Bangladesh, and successive governments have treated illegal immigration as a major security, demographic and political issue.

Border surveillance and the identification of suspected illegal entrants have consequently remained important areas of law-enforcement activity. According to Sarma, the latest interception took place in the "wee hours" of Thursday. He credited Assam Police with identifying the alleged infiltrators and preventing them from entering India. The chief minister did not provide further details about where the 17 people were intercepted, their identities or the specific procedure that would be followed in their cases. The use of the term "infiltrators" reflects the Assam government's description of the individuals. The circumstances surrounding their nationality and legal status would need to be established through the relevant official and legal processes.

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Preventing illegal entry is distinct from formally determining a person's citizenship or immigration status, which can involve verification and other procedures under applicable law. Illegal immigration from Bangladesh has been a politically sensitive issue in Assam for decades. The concern has been linked to the state's history, demographics and the movement of people across the international border. The issue has also featured prominently in political campaigns and debates over citizenship, border management and the rights of people living in border areas. Assam has continued to strengthen measures aimed at detecting suspected illegal entrants, with the state government repeatedly stressing the importance of preventing unauthorised crossings.

Sarma has also consistently maintained a hardline position on the issue, arguing that people without the necessary documents should not be permitted to enter the country. The latest incident is therefore part of a broader effort by the Assam government and police to monitor illegal cross-border movement. While Sarma said 17 alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators were prevented from entering the state, further official information would be required to establish the circumstances of the interception and the subsequent action taken against those individuals.

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