Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed concerns on Wednesday regarding the political instability in Bangladesh and its potential negative impact on Assam. He highlighted the ongoing presence of jihadi elements in the state, suggesting that some may operate as sleeper cells. Sarma emphasized that recent unrest and targeted violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh is alarming, citing that Hindus are facing increasing harassment and attacks. Given the situation, he urged caution and a proactive monitoring of events across the border. According to the 2022 census, the Hindu population in Bangladesh is approximately 13.13 million, representing about 7.95% of the total population. Moreover, Sarma pointed out that security agencies have detected the presence of Bangladeshis in Assam within the last decade, raising concerns about potential sleeper cells still in hiding. Highlighting a previous incident, he noted the arrest of 11 individuals in Assam and Tripura in December for alleged connections with fundamentalist groups from Bangladesh.
