Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed the pressing issue of infiltration during a New Year’s press briefing, asserting that no Hindu Bangladeshi migrants had been detected entering the state in the last five months. This revelation comes amidst growing concerns over the surge in illegal immigration across Assam and other Northeastern states. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, CM Sarma disclosed that Assam Police apprehends 20-30 infiltrators daily, with similar trends reported in neighboring Tripura. However, he credited the Hindu community in Bangladesh for demonstrating maturity and refraining from crossing the border. “Those who wished to migrate likely did so decades ago. Today, the numbers are negligible as most people have a strong connection to their homeland. We should not encourage further migration,” Sarma remarked.
The chief minister linked the rise in infiltration to economic instability in neighboring countries, particularly the collapse of Bangladesh’s textile sector. He noted that job losses in the industry had forced many workers to seek livelihoods across the border. Additionally, he alleged that Indian textile owners were enticing cheap labor by offering financial incentives, further exacerbating the issue. “The Assam government has detained and pushed back over 1,000 infiltrators in recent months. However, arresting them is futile, as they easily secure bail. The focus should be on dismantling the networks encouraging illegal immigration,” Sarma emphasized.
Sarma also shed light on his discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah regarding border security measures. He revealed that the matter was raised during the recent North Eastern Council (NEC) meeting and in talks with leaders of other Northeastern states and West Bengal. He stressed the need for strict action against industrial units promoting illegal immigration under the guise of labor demand. “Such practices not only compromise our borders but also undermine the local workforce,” he added.