Assam’s security forces repelled 10 illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators from Sribhumi district back to Bangladesh, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced. The operation, executed in the early hours by Assam Police in coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF), is part of a sustained crackdown on unauthorized border crossings along the 1,885 km India-Bangladesh border in the Northeast. Sarma, posting on X, stated, “Stern action against illegal infiltration continues! In the wee hours today, @assampolice pushed back 10 illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators from the Sribhumi sector. Attempts to alter Assam’s demography will NOT BE TOLERATED. Borders secured, infiltrators REPELLED!”
This action follows a similar operation in the same district just a week prior, where 27 alleged infiltrators were sent back to Bangladesh. Over the past few months, Assam has pushed back more than 387 suspected illegal migrants, reflecting a robust response to what the state government views as a threat to its demographic and cultural fabric. The intensified efforts come in the wake of political unrest in Bangladesh, particularly since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024, which has led to increased infiltration attempts.
The Assam government, under Sarma’s leadership, has prioritized border security, with the BSF deploying advanced surveillance technologies and additional personnel to monitor the porous border. Assam Police have been directed to maintain high alert status, conducting regular patrols and intelligence-driven operations to intercept infiltrators before they can move inland. An official noted that anyone lacking valid citizenship documents is promptly returned to Bangladesh, ensuring strict enforcement of immigration laws.
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Sarma has repeatedly emphasized the state’s commitment to an “infiltration-free Assam,” citing the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act of 1950, which empowers district commissioners to identify and expel illegal immigrants. In a recent address to the Assam Assembly, he stated, “I am an Assamese first and Chief Minister later, and all my actions will reflect that.” He highlighted that over 330 infiltrators had been pushed back by June 2025, with plans to expedite such operations.
The issue of illegal infiltration has long been a contentious one in Assam, where concerns about demographic changes, resource strain, and cultural identity have fueled anti-immigrant sentiments. The state’s 262 km border with Bangladesh, part of the larger 4,097 km India-Bangladesh frontier, is particularly vulnerable. Sribhumi, located in the South Salmara-Mankachar district, has emerged as a hotspot for infiltration attempts, with multiple operations reported in recent weeks, including the pushback of 20 infiltrators on July 28, 2025, and seven on July 30, 2025.
However, the crackdown has not been without controversy. Reports from human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch, allege that some expulsions, particularly of Bengali-speaking Muslims, have occurred without due process, potentially violating domestic and international standards. Cases like that of Shona Banu, a 58-year-old Assam resident, who claimed she was forcibly sent to Bangladesh despite pending citizenship appeals, highlight concerns about the fairness of the process. The Assam government maintains that its actions target only those without valid documentation, but critics argue that Foreigners’ Tribunals, which adjudicate citizenship cases, often lack transparency and disproportionately affect certain communities.
Despite these concerns, local support for the crackdown remains strong in border areas, where residents express fears over the impact of illegal immigration on Assam’s resources and identity. The state government has also initiated eviction drives to reclaim government and forest lands from alleged illegal settlers, with over 3,600 acres targeted in recent operations. As Assam continues its aggressive stance, the message is clear: unauthorized entry will face swift and uncompromising action.
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