Assam deports 16 Bangladeshis as state tightens immigration laws

The Assam government has continued its tough clampdown on illegal immigration with the deportation of sixteen Bangladeshi nationals from Sribhumi district this week. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the state’s unyielding resolve, stating, “Miyabhai Ki Daring won't work in Assam! Sixteen illegal migrants from Bangladesh entered Assam with nefarious intentions and faced the consequences.” The Sribhumi police were lauded for their swift action.

This effort is part of a series of measures aimed at identifying and deporting illegal immigrants, reflecting Assam’s heightened vigilance since revising its operational guidelines for dealing with foreigners. Just recently, the state cabinet approved landmark new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) granting district commissioners and senior police officers powers to expel illegal migrants more rapidly. Under these SOPs, suspected illegal immigrants are given ten days to prove their citizenship, with detention and deportation swiftly following if they fail to produce valid documents, a step that speeds up action, bypassing earlier, slower tribunal mechanisms previously in place.

The NRC (National Register of Citizens) exercise in Assam remains fundamental in detecting illegal immigrants by requiring residents to prove their lineage and citizenship, resulting in the identification of thousands as foreigners. While NRC has helped create a verified citizen database, it has also left some residents struggling with documentation issues. The fast-track SOPs now complement the NRC, enabling enforcement even when tribunal cases are pending.

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which grants citizenship to persecuted minorities from neighboring countries, has had limited practical impact in Assam, according to officials. Chief Minister Sarma recently noted that despite strong apprehensions, the actual number of applications for citizenship under CAA remains extremely low. Local opposition, however, remains vocal, with protests ongoing against the potential for Assam’s identity and resources to be burdened further by more immigrants.

Collectively, these policies NRC for citizen verification, CAA for relief to minorities, and newly empowered local officials for expedited removals show the Assam government’s resolve to counter illegal migration, especially from Bangladesh. As a series of actions like the recent deportation demonstrate, Assam stands firm on upholding law and order and safeguarding its indigenous communities.