In recent months, Assam has intensified its efforts to address illegal immigration. This move particularly focuses on individuals from Bangladesh. Under their initiative termed “Operation Sindoor,” the state government has reportedly pushed back over 2,000 individuals identified as illegal immigrants into Bangladesh. The operation has sparked debates, touching upon legal, humanitarian, and geopolitical concerns.
Assam shares a 262 km border with Bangladesh. This makes it a critical region for cross-border movement. The state has grappled with issues related to illegal immigration, leading to demographic changes and socio-political tensions. The National Register of Citizens (NRC) update in Assam aimed to identify genuine citizens, but it faced challenges, leaving many in a state of uncertainty.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has highlighted concerns over individuals declared as foreigners by Foreigners’ Tribunals who have subsequently gone missing. He stated, “30,000 people after being declared as foreign nationals by various tribunals over the years, have disappeared. We have decided to speed up the process of detecting them”.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has brought under focus the issue of people who were declared foreigners by Foreigners’ Tribunals and have later gone missing. He said, “30,000 individuals after being declared as foreign nationals by different tribunals in the last few years have vanished. We have decided to fast-track the process of identifying them.”
The exercise entails the identification of persons pronounced as illegal foreigners and repatriating them back to Bangladesh. In particular, on May 27 and 29, 49 of these were expelled from western and southern Assam. The state’s policy is on the assumption that those who fail to appeal their status in higher courts lose the right to remain in India.
In addition, recent cases have witnessed Bangladeshi nationals in groups, including children and women, being arrested while trying to re-enter Bangladesh after living illegally in other parts of India. For example, 35 people were arrested in Cachar district for attempting to return to Bangladesh after living in Gujarat (The Times of India).
The exercise has caused severe legal and humanitarian concerns. Relatives of the deportees have moved petitions in the Supreme Court and Gauhati High Court, requesting details about the whereabouts of their kin and questioning the legality of the pushbacks. A case in point is that of Monowara Bewa of Dhubri, whose son moved a habeas corpus petition after her arrest on May 24.
Additionally, the All BTC Minority Students’ Union. has lodged a petition in the Supreme ., contending that the state’s policy of pushing back people violates basic rights and could leave citizens stateless, particularly from marginalized communities who cannot afford legal aid.
The pushback policy has implications for India-Bangladesh bilateral relations. While India asserts that these people are nationals of Bangladesh, the way they are deported—usually to no-man’s land—is a cause for concern regarding compliance with global norms and the risk of diplomatic tension. Bangladesh’s reaction to such moves continues to be a critical consideration in the changing dynamics between the two countries.
Although the desire of the state to combat illegal immigration is apparent, the conduct of Operation Sindoor reflects the necessity of an even-handed approach that respects legal principles and human rights. Ensuring transparency in identification, offering legal opportunities for redress, and pursuing diplomatic exchanges with Bangladesh are necessary steps in the right direction.
Further, solving the underlying reasons for illegal immigration, like economic inequalities and unemployment opportunities, in India as well as in neighboring nations is imperative. Cooperative measures, such as bilateral accords and regional development programs, can be instrumental in checking the drawbacks involved with cross-border migration.
Operation Sindoor is a big step by the government of Assam to address the age-old problem of illegal immigration. Yet, the myriad issues involving legal rights, humanitarian considerations, and foreign policy relationships require a holistic and empathetic approach. Managing national security interests with the values of justice and human dignity will be critical to guaranteeing the long-term success and legitimacy of the operation.
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