Assam Police pushes back 17 Bangladeshi nationals amid intensified crackdown on illegal immigration

In a pre-dawn operation, Assam Police pushed back 17 Bangladeshi nationals, including eight children, across the international border. The operation, conducted on Saturday, saw nine adults and eight children repatriated to Bangladesh. The individuals were arrested near the border in the early hours, as confirmed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Sharing the update on X (formerly Twitter), Sarma stated, “Taking firm stance against infiltration, @assampolice pushed back 9 Bangladeshis and 8 children across the border in the wee hours today.” The arrested individuals were identified as Harul Lamin, Umai Khunsum, Md. Ismail, Sansida Begum, Rufiya Begum, Fatima Khatun, Mojur Rahman, Habi Ullah, and Sobika Begum.

This is part of a broader effort by the Assam government to address illegal immigration, with 54 illegal immigrants from Bangladesh detected since January 2024. The government has directed Assam Police to strengthen measures, including the collection of biometric data from suspected illegal immigrants. Individuals found with Indian identification, such as Aadhaar, PAN, or voter IDs, will have their details recorded for future reference.


Assam's Chief Minister emphasized the crucial role played by the Assam Police Border Organization in detecting illegal immigrants entering through the state's international borders. Recent reports indicate a rise in such cases, prompting the state to escalate its efforts in border districts like Karimganj, Bongaigaon, and Dhubri. Of the 54 detected immigrants, 45 have been deported, while nine remain in custody.

To combat this issue, the government has laid out a comprehensive action plan. This includes increased border patrolling, enhanced coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF), and the deployment of trained personnel for intelligence gathering. Regular monthly meetings between Assam Police and BSF officials have been proposed to ensure seamless operations and information sharing.

Moreover, the state plans to conduct community awareness campaigns in border regions, encouraging locals to report any suspicious activity or new settlers. Village and field-level functionaries, such as Gaon Panchayat members and Land Revenue staff, will also play a role in identifying suspected illegal immigrants.

As part of the crackdown, individuals who have absconded after being declared foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunals will be actively pursued. The collection of biometric data, including Aadhaar numbers, will aid in identifying and documenting such individuals, with their cases referred to the Foreigners Tribunals for adjudication.

This intensified action comes as Assam continues to deal with the complexities of illegal immigration, a longstanding issue with significant implications for the state's security and demographics. The state government remains committed to ensuring border security and preventing illegal entry into the state.