31,789 illegal immigrants deported from Assam in 40 years: CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. | Photo credit: PTI

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told the 126-member Assam Assembly on Monday (July 6, 2026) that 31,789 illegal immigrants have been deported from the state in the last 40 years.

The deportation was based on the cut-off date of the August 1985 Assam Accord, which ended a six-year violent agitation against foreigners from neighboring countries, specifically Bangladesh, residing illegally in the state. The agreement provides for the detection and deportation of any immigrant who entered Assam illegally after 24 March 1971.

Answering a question from Asom Gana Parishad MLA Diptimoyee Choudhury, the chief minister said 31,789 were among the 1,72,673 illegal migrants detected since 1985. He said 2,366 of them were deported between 2011 and June 30 this year.

Mr. Sarma, who holds the Home portfolio, said cases against 73,750 others are being heard by quasi-judicial alien tribunals across the state. These tribunals adjudicate the citizenship status of people who have been referred by the Border Wing of the Assam Police on suspicion of being illegal immigrants.

People who cannot convince the tribunals of their Indian citizenship are labeled as “declared foreigners”.

The Chief Minister said that 174 so-declared foreigners were accommodated in the Matia transit camp in Goalpara district of western Assam and in some detention centres.

Mr Sarma said six of the 70 applicants had been granted Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. The act allowed non-Muslims who had taken refuge in India before December 31, 2014, after fleeing religious persecution in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, to apply for citizenship.

Border fencing

Minister of Border Protection and Development Department Atul Bora, in response to another question from Ms. Choudhury, said that 228.54 km of the Bangladesh border has been fenced. A 34.6 km stretch could not be fenced as it spanned the river, while another 4.35 km stretch could not be fenced due to opposition from the Bangladesh Border Guard.

Mr. Bora said the Border Security Forces had occupied the river stretch as part of a comprehensive integrated border management system. “The Center has the responsibility to completely seal the border,” he added.

According to the Survey of India, Assam shares a 267.5 km border with Bangladesh. The border districts of Bangladesh state are Dhubri, South Salmara-Mankachar, Cachar and Sribhumi.

Published – 6 Jul 2026 22:02 IST