Himanta Biswa Sarma: Rohingya muslims are crossing the border, not Hindu Bengalis

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressing the press in Dispur today said that his administration has intensified efforts to tackle illegal infiltration across Assam’s borders. CM Sarma said that more than 130 infiltrators have been intercepted over the past two months, with the majority identified as Rohingya Muslims entering through the porous Indo-Bangladesh border.

CM Sarma highlighted the complexities faced by border security forces, noting, "Every day, for the last two months, either individuals or groups of foreigners have been apprehended within Assam's borders. Despite the robust efforts by the Border Security Force (BSF), some infiltrators are still able to cross into our country." He indicated that state authorities are now taking a proactive stance, working closely with the BSF to tighten border security.

A significant number of the detained individuals have been identified as Rohingya Muslims. CM Sarma clarified that the initial assumption about Hindu Bengalis seeking refuge due to Bangladesh's internal instabilities was inaccurate, as data suggests primarily Muslim Rohingya are crossing over. He said, "Contrary to expectations, we’re not seeing Hindu Bengalis; rather, it is Rohingya Muslims trying to enter various states in the country, including Assam."

The Assam Police, in coordination with the BSF, has been conducting joint operations to curb these illegal entries. Sarma stressed the importance of vigilance among other states sharing borders with Bangladesh, such as Tripura and West Bengal, stating, "Assam and Tripura have been actively identifying and intercepting individuals. It is crucial that all states in the region, including Meghalaya and West Bengal, collaborate closely with BSF to ensure a systematic approach."

In response to questions regarding potential identity changes by infiltrators, CM Sarma addressed concerns about deceptive identities and said that the state is focussing on legal border entry. "Our objective remains clear—regardless of religious affiliation, anyone entering the country illegally from Bangladesh will be identified and returned. Our cooperation with the BSF is crucial to maintaining vigilance and addressing this issue comprehensively,” he said.