Guwahati, Oct 27: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and West Bengal to assist the Border Security Force (BSF) in combating infiltration from Bangladesh.
Sarma shared concerns about the ongoing influx of foreigners from Bangladesh into Assam, despite efforts by the BSF and state authorities. “Over the past two months, the Assam Police have apprehended individuals or groups crossing the porous India-Bangladesh border nearly every day,” he said.
The Chief Minister warned that, without a concerted approach, the situation could worsen. He highlighted the importance of close collaboration between state governments and BSF, noting that Assam and Tripura have already been working closely to identify and deter illegal entrants.
He urged the West Bengal government to increase its detection efforts, suggesting that an orchestrated, systematic approach across these border states would strengthen India’s border security.
Sarma clarified that Assam’s policy remains unbiased toward religious identity, stating, “If anybody comes from Bangladesh to our country, they must be detected and pushed back irrespective of their religious identity.”
Highlighting the proactive steps being taken, Sarma noted that Assam is working closely with the BSF and that joint operations between BSF and state police are frequently conducted to identify and detain illegal entrants. He also mentioned similar efforts in Tripura, underscoring that some individuals return to Bangladesh and later re-enter with new people. The state government remains vigilant in addressing the influx, aiming to tighten border security through sustained cooperation with BSF and other agencies.
Sarma stated that, over the past two months, Assam has identified and pushed back 138 infiltrators attempting to enter from Bangladesh. “Contrary to expectations that instability in Bangladesh might lead to an influx of Hindu Bengalis, the majority of those intercepted have been Rohingya Muslims,” he further said.
The Chief Minister noted that this trend counters the perception that Hindu Bengalis are the primary group crossing into India, with evidence pointing instead to predominantly Rohingya Muslim arrivals.
