20 ‘Illegal Infiltrators’ Sent Back to Bangladesh, Says Assam CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that 20 foreign nationals were apprehended in the state and “ pushed back ” across the border into Bangladesh, reiterating the government’s firm stance against illegal infiltration.

In a post on X, Sarma said the individuals were detained overnight and expelled, asserting that such actions would continue. “Assam will fight, pushbacks will continue,” he wrote, using strong language to underline the administration’s approach to border security.

However, the Chief Minister did not disclose specific details about where the individuals were apprehended, how they were identified as foreign nationals, or the exact circumstances leading to their detention. There was also no official clarification on whether standard legal deportation procedures were followed.

Typically, such apprehensions in border districts are carried out through joint operations by the Assam Police and the Border Security Force , involving patrols, surveillance inputs, and checks in vulnerable areas along the international boundary. Officials have previously indicated that suspects are often detained during routine border monitoring or based on intelligence inputs before being handed over for further action.

Several districts in Assam, including Sribhumi, Cachar, Dhubri and South Salmara-Mankachar, share a 267.5-km-long border with Bangladesh , making them particularly sensitive to cross-border movement. The region also hosts an Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Sutarkandi, while other ICPs along the India-Bangladesh border are located at Dawki in Meghalaya and Akhaura in Tripura.

The Assam Police had earlier stated that it would take all necessary steps, in coordination with the BSF, to prevent illegal entry into India, especially in the wake of political unrest in Bangladesh in 2024.

At the same time, authorities have allowed Indian passport holders stranded in Bangladesh to return through designated entry points , maintaining a distinction between citizens and alleged illegal entrants.