🚜 Bulldozer Action in Assam: Clearing 7,000 Acres of Land
The Assam government, under CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, has launched a massive bulldozer campaign to clear 7,000 acres of encroached land in Dhubri district. This move targets illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and is a part of Sarma’s long-term strategy to restore peace and order in the state. Unlike similar actions in other states, this campaign reflects Assam's unique demographic and security concerns.
📊 Demographic Shifts Raising Alarm
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma recently voiced concerns over rapid demographic changes in Lower Assam, driven by the influx of Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh. A white paper addressing these demographic trends is expected by April-May next year. Sarma highlighted fears that if unchecked, these trends could create humanitarian and cultural crises, especially in border regions.
🛡️ Government’s Stand on Illegal Immigration
The Assam government has clarified that this campaign targets illegal intruders, not any particular community. CM Sarma reiterated that while every Indian citizen has the right to reside anywhere in the country, illegal immigrants do not enjoy such privileges. The ongoing campaign seeks to restore law and order while protecting Assam’s cultural heritage.
🚧 Eviction Drives Since 2021
The land clearance campaign began in 2021, with the government reclaiming over 77,000 bighas of encroached land. In Hasila Bel village alone, 600+ Bengali-speaking Muslim families were evicted. The operation continued with bulldozers and security forces in 2023 and 2024, expanding to places like Nalbari, where 452 acres of illegally occupied land were reclaimed.
⛔ Recent Deportations in Lakhimpur and Border Pushbacks
In Lakhimpur, 400–500 suspected illegal immigrants were given a four-day ultimatum to vacate their homes or face deportation. In a recent border operation, 18 undocumented Bangladeshi citizens were pushed back at the Indo-Bangladesh border, in line with Sarma’s policy to remove illegal infiltrators.
⚖️ Illegal Immigration Crackdown Intensifies
The Assam government recently identified 300 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. CM Sarma warned about the infiltration of Pakistani elements and Bangladeshi radicals, prompting stricter enforcement under the Illegal Eviction Act of 1950. The drive aims to safeguard Assam’s cultural integrity and internal security.
🏛️ Supreme Court Verdict: Legal Clarity on Illegal Immigrants
The Supreme Court has ruled that all Bangladeshi migrants entering Assam after March 25, 1971, are illegal, authorizing district commissioners to deport them without referring to tribunals. This ruling empowers Assam’s eviction campaigns and highlights the state's demographic concerns caused by illegal migration.
🌐 A Nationwide Challenge
Illegal immigration is not confined to Assam. Areas like Delhi’s Seemapuri have witnessed similar issues, with encroachers clashing violently with authorities and journalists. This highlights the national scale of the infiltration problem, demanding comprehensive action across India.
🔗 Recommended Do-Follow References:
- Assam CM Official Website
- Supreme Court of India - Illegal Immigration Judgments
- Ministry of Home Affairs - Illegal Immigration Policy
- Census of India - Assam Demographics
- BBC News on Assam Evictions
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