Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma late on Saturday announced that 20 illegal immigrants had been sent back to Bangladesh in a significant pushback operation. This marks the second-largest number of immigrants returned to the neighboring country this year, following 21 individuals pushed back last month.
CM's Stance on Infiltration
Taking to his X account, Himanta stated that Assam will continue its crackdown on illegal infiltration, asserting, "Assam will fight, pushbacks will continue." The Chief Minister, who has made the influx of illegal immigrants a key part of his campaign pitch for the BJP in West Bengal, emphasized that those who only understand force cannot be reasoned with words.
"We continuously remind ourselves of this prophetic line when we expel infiltrators from Assam who don't leave themselves. For instance, these 20 illegal Bangladeshis who were PUSHED BACK last night," Himanta wrote.
Details of the Operation
While he did not disclose when and where the individuals were caught or the method of their pushback, Himanta reiterated that pushback will be Assam's new strategy to keep infiltrators out of the state, avoiding imprisonment and prolonged legal processes.
Earlier this year, Himanta stated that Assam would accelerate its policy of pushing back illegal migrants directly from the border and would not wait for a repatriation treaty between India and Bangladesh. Campaigning in West Bengal, he has repeatedly sought support from Hindu voters, alleging that Bangladeshi infiltrators are changing the state's demography and using it as an entry point to neighboring states like Assam.
Political Context
Even while campaigning in Assam, the CM declared that the BJP did not need votes from the "Miya" community to win. Since the political upheaval in Bangladesh in 2024, numerous infiltration attempts have been made along the India-Bangladesh border, which have been successfully foiled by security forces. Despite the formation of a new government in the neighboring country, security sources report that infiltration attempts continue, with western and southern Assam districts being most vulnerable.
