14 Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended in the state for entering India without valid documentation. The arrests were announced by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who reiterated his government’s strict stance on illegal migration, a long-standing and sensitive issue in the northeastern state.
The arrested individuals were reportedly found in the state’s Barpeta district during a joint operation conducted by the Assam Police and local authorities. Preliminary investigations suggest that these individuals crossed the India-Bangladesh border and entered Assam with the help of local smugglers and agents who facilitate such illegal entries.
Details of the Arrest
According to police sources, the Bangladeshi nationals were arrested during a routine security check after their suspicious activities were reported by local residents. Upon interrogation, they confessed to entering India without valid passports or visas, which is a violation of Indian immigration laws. Some of the individuals claimed to have crossed the border for economic reasons, in search of better livelihood opportunities, while others stated they were visiting family members already residing in Assam.
The Assam Police have charged the arrested individuals under the Foreigners Act, 1946, which governs the entry, stay, and exit of foreigners in India. They are currently in judicial custody, awaiting deportation procedures, which will involve coordination between Indian and Bangladeshi authorities.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s Response
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has consistently emphasized the need for strict action against illegal immigrants, responded to the arrests by reaffirming his government’s commitment to tackling this long-standing problem. Addressing the media, Sarma stated, “Assam will not be a shelter for illegal immigrants. We are working tirelessly to ensure that our borders are secure and our demographic balance is maintained. The arrest of these 14 Bangladeshi nationals is a part of our broader efforts to curb illegal infiltration into the state.”
Sarma also highlighted that his administration had ramped up border security measures in collaboration with the Border Security Force (BSF) to prevent further illegal entries. He emphasized that while Assam shares a long and porous border with Bangladesh, the state government is doing everything possible to strengthen surveillance and security at these vulnerable points.
Assam’s History with Illegal Immigration
Assam has long struggled with the issue of illegal immigration, particularly from Bangladesh. The state’s proximity to the international border, coupled with its porous nature, has made it a hotspot for undocumented migration over the decades. This issue has fueled political, social, and demographic tensions, with fears that unchecked migration could alter the state’s ethnic composition and burden its resources.
The Assam Movement of the late 1970s and early 1980s, which culminated in the signing of the Assam Accord in 1985, was primarily driven by local discontent over illegal immigration. The accord promised measures to detect and deport illegal immigrants, but the problem has persisted, with various political parties using it as a key issue in their election campaigns.
The National Register of Citizens (NRC), updated in Assam in 2019, was one of the government’s most significant attempts to address the issue. The aim was to identify and document the state’s legal citizens and weed out illegal immigrants. However, the final list excluded over 1.9 million people, leading to concerns over the fairness of the process and the fate of those who were left out.
Growing Concerns Over National Security
The issue of illegal immigration is not just a concern for Assam, but for India as a whole. In his comments, Sarma emphasized the national security implications of unchecked infiltration, stating that some of those who enter illegally could potentially pose a threat to the country’s internal security. “We cannot ignore the possibility of anti-national elements entering our state through such means. We need to remain vigilant, and our forces are working around the clock to ensure the safety and security of our citizens,” Sarma said.
The Chief Minister also reiterated his government’s commitment to deporting all illegal immigrants, regardless of their numbers. Assam, under Sarma’s leadership, has adopted a zero-tolerance policy on this issue, with plans for further crackdowns on illegal entry networks and human trafficking syndicates operating along the border.
The Way Forward
While the arrests of the 14 Bangladeshi nationals serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges Assam faces in terms of border security and illegal immigration, it also underscores the complexity of the issue. Many of those who cross into India illegally do so in search of economic opportunities or to escape poverty in their home countries.
However, the state government’s stance remains firm. As the deportation process for the arrested individuals begins, Assam’s efforts to strengthen border surveillance and crack down on illegal immigration are expected to continue, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma vowing to protect the state’s interests and maintain its demographic balance.
