India has ramped up efforts to deport individuals declared illegal immigrants in Assam, following stringent directives from the Supreme Court. The sta
India has ramped up efforts to deport individuals declared illegal immigrants in Assam, following stringent directives from the Supreme Court. The state, long grappling with the complex issue of illegal migration from Bangladesh, is under intense scrutiny to address the status of thousands identified as foreigners by Foreigners Tribunals (FTs). This escalation, driven by a mix of judicial pressure and regional security concerns, has sparked debates over human rights, national sovereignty, and the practical challenges of deportation.
The Supreme Court has been a key force in pushing Assam to act decisively. In February 2025, the court ordered the immediate deportation of 63 declared foreigners whose nationalities were confirmed, criticizing the state for indefinite detentions that violate basic rights. The bench, led by Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, rejected Assam’s argument that deportations were stalled due to missing foreign addresses, directing the state to send individuals to the capital cities of their home countries, primarily Bangladesh. The court also mandated regular inspections of detention centres and better facilities for detainees, highlighting concerns over conditions in facilities like the Matia transit camp in Goalpara.
Assam’s deportation drive is rooted in its unique history of migration, particularly following the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The Assam Accord of 1985 set March 25, 1971, as the cut-off date for identifying illegal immigrants, a policy upheld by the Supreme Court in October 2024. Those entering Assam after this date are deemed foreigners and subject to deportation. Recent reports indicate that over 2000 illegal immigrants have been deported since the launch of Operation Sindoor, a crackdown targeting undocumented settlers across Assam and other states. The state’s Foreigners Tribunals, numbering 100, are working overtime to process cases, with approximately 159,000 individuals declared foreigners and another 96,000 flagged as doubtful voters.
The National Register of Citizens (NRC), updated in 2019, has been central to this process, though it remains contentious. The NRC aimed to identify genuine Indian citizens in Assam, but its implementation has faced criticism for errors and exclusions. For instance, cases like that of Manowara Begum, who was declared a foreigner despite holding a certificate verifying her pre-1971 migration, highlight the risks of misidentification. Her family’s plea, heard by the Supreme Court in June 2025, underscored fears of arbitrary detention and pushback operations, where individuals are forcibly sent across the border without due process. The court has since sought responses from Assam authorities to ensure such cases are handled transparently.
The Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has framed the deportations as essential for protecting the state’s cultural and demographic identity. Recent evictions, such as the clearance of 452 acres in Nalbari targeting 150 families of alleged Bangladeshi settlers, reflect this hardline stance. The state has invoked the Foreigners Act of 1950, allowing district collectors to identify and evict illegal immigrants without tribunal hearings, a move backed by the Supreme Court in June 2025. However, this policy has raised concerns among human rights groups, who argue it risks statelessness and violates Article 21 rights to life and liberty.
Public sentiment, as seen on X, is polarized. Some users applaud the deportations as a necessary step to curb illegal infiltration, while others warn of humanitarian fallout and potential diplomatic tensions with Bangladesh. The Ministry of External Affairs plays a critical role, as deportations require diplomatic coordination to verify nationalities and secure acceptance from receiving countries. Experts note that without robust bilateral agreements, deportations could stall, leaving thousands in legal limbo.
The Supreme Court’s oversight ensures that Assam’s deportation efforts remain under close watch, balancing national security with constitutional protections. As India navigates this complex issue, the challenge lies in implementing a fair and humane process while addressing the historical and geopolitical realities of migration in Assam. The outcome will shape not only the state’s future but also India’s broader approach to border security and human rights.
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